Abstract: A method for the removal of organic compounds from columns of air or water. The method utilizes a solidifying organic polymer-based filtration media and activated carbon placed in separate containers and arranged in an in-line, two phase process to extract organic compounds and metals from feed streams containing emulsified or suspended concentrations of organic contaminants by absorbing and solidifying the organics into an easily retrievable, disposable mass. The treated feed streams exit the process containing acceptable limits of the organic compounds and metals within the fluid columns to permit their free release into the environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method suitable for treating used oil to remove contaminants including ash and color contaminants therefrom to provide a purified oil product. The method comprises the steps of providing a porous inorganic membrane module having a high pressure side and a low pressure side, and a body of oil to be treated. The oil is introduced to the high pressure side of the membrane module to provide an oil permeate on the low pressure side and an ash rich concentrate on the high pressure side thereby separating ash in the oil from the oil permeate. Thereafter the oil permeate is contacted with an adsorbent to remove one of color and odor from the oil permeate to provide a purified oil product. The spent adsorbent can be regenerated and reused.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for coalescing microscopic droplets of organic (principally hydrocarbons) that are present with particles in an aqueous stream (primarily water), which avoids frequent shutdowns for backwashing. The system includes two anthracite beds (56, 58, FIG. 2) and apparatus for connecting the beds in series. Most of the time, the stream flows down (60) through the first bed and up (64) through the second bed, and to a separator, while particles (74) accumulate at the top of the first bed. When the particles begin to seriously block flow through the first bed, the flow is reversed for a period while the particles are transferred from the top of the first bed to the top of the second bed. After several minutes, the flow is reversed again, causing particles at the top of the second bed to flow to the separator for removal.

Abstract: For the removal of trace quantities of iodine-containing contaminants from corrosive liquid feed streams, an adsorbent with distinct advantages over prior-art materials is provided. The treatment method involves the use of a metal phthalocyanine compound where the metal selected from the group consisting of silver, mercury, copper, lead, thallium, palladium, or mixtures thereof. Such metals are known to be reactive with the iodine-containing contaminants in the feed stream. Furthermore, the metal phthalocyanine is deposited on a carrier material selected from the group consisting of an activated carbon, a phenolic polymer, and an inorganic refractory metal oxide. Such adsorbent materials have proven substantially insoluble even in corrosive liquid feed streams associated with the invention. Reactivation and regeneration techniques, which are generally incompatible with prior-art adsorbent materials, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is adapted to manipulate the chemical properties of water in order to improve the effectiveness of a desired chemical process. The method involves heating the water in the vessel to subcritical temperatures between 100.degree. to 374.degree. C. while maintaining sufficient pressure to the water to maintain the water in the liquid state. Various physiochemical properties of the water can be manipulated including polarity, solute solubility, surface tension, viscosity, and the disassociation constant. The method of the present invention has various uses including extracting organics from solids and semisolids such as soil, selectively extracting desired organics from nonaqueous liquids, selectively separating organics using sorbent phases, enhancing reactions by controlling the disassociation constant of water, cleaning waste water, and removing organics from water using activated carbon or other suitable sorbents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the removal of polyphenols and proteins simultaneously from a beverage by contacting the beverage with an ion exchanger that is capable of adsorbing both types of substances. The characteristic feature of the ion exchanger to be used is that it is a water-insoluble porous hydrophilic matrix to which ion exchanging groups are covalently bound.

Abstract: A new use of hydrophobic zeolites, viz. for removing preservatives from (poly)peptide solutions, e.g. solutions of pharmaceutical preparations. The use is of particular interest in connection with protein solutions, especially insulin solutions. The invention further relates to an injection syringe for such solutions, in which syringe a zeolite of the type at issue is placed for contact with the solution to remove preservatives therefrom.

Abstract: Applicants have developed a unique process for preparing a shaped article comprising an ion exchange composition and a hydroxy oxide binder. The ion exchange compositions include metallotitanates, metallogermanates, pillared clays and metal phosphonates. The process involves combining the ion exchange composition with a binder precursor and water, forming the mixture into a shaped article and heating the article at a temperature of about 85.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C. These shaped articles are useful for removing metal ions such as cesium from feed streams.

Abstract: A device for purifying gasoline by separating the paraffins and varnishes that when burned through an internal-combustion engine cause air pollution. The device includes a inlet fitting (1), a removable cap (2) or non-removable cap (8), a filter shell (4), a granular filter medium (7), a non-removable cap (5) and an outlet fitting (6). The gasoline enters the device and comes in contact with the granular carbon filter medium and then exits the device and proceeds on to the gasoline distribution system.

Abstract: An activated carbon based adsorbent carrying an acid is provided for eliminating mercury or mercury compounds contained in hydrocarbons. Preferably the activated carbon base is provided with more than 80 ml/g micropore volume having radii less than 8 angstroms. Preferably the acid carried on the activated carbon is hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or phosphoric acid. Hydrochloric acid is most preferred. The active carbon base is preferably manufactured by activating a carbonaceous material in an atmosphere comprising less than 30 vol. % water vapor. The adsorbent can be used to eliminate mercury or mercury compounds contained in hydrocarbons by contacting the adsorbent with the hydrocarbons in liquid phase. Particular hydrocarbons include naphtha and intermediates of oil products or petrochemical products. Minimal amounts of carried acid are desorbed from the adsorbent to the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Process for the purification of a hydrocarbon stream by removing contaminating compounds contained in the hydrocarbon stream by contact with a solid adsorbent material and withdrawing a purified hydrocarbon stream, the improvement of which comprises passing the hydrocarbon stream through a first zone of the adsorbent material having supported thereon a fluorinated sulphonic acid and subsequently through zone of the adsorbent material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the adsorptive separation by utilizing an improved simulated moving bed. This invention provides an improved formula for the calculation of primary flush flowrate by correspondingly associating the primary flush flowrate with each connection line by introducting a volume factor and carring out sequential control so as to reduce the amount of the flush stream and increase product purity and yield.

Abstract: A chemical warfare agent decontamination solution made up of about 20% of a quaternary ammonium complex containing benzyltrimethylammoniumchloride and benzyltriethylammonium chloride and about 20% by weight of an oxidizer, dissolved in a solvent, such as water or glycol, is provided. This solution is a noncorrosive, nontoxic, nonflammable decontaminant, which may also be used to neutralize organophosphorus agricultural chemicals.

Abstract: A method for the removal of organic compounds from columns of air or water. The method utilizes a solidifying organic polymer-based filtration media and activated carbon placed in separate containers and arranged in an in-line, two phase process to extract organic compounds and metals from feed streams containing emulsified or suspended concentrations of organic contaminants by absorbing and solidifying the organics into an easily retrievable, disposable mass. The treated feed streams exit the process containing acceptable limits of the organic compounds and metals within the fluid columns to permit their free release into the environment.

Abstract: An insert for a storm drain or sanitary sewer inlet such as are found in factory or warehouse floors, parking lots and car washes in which the insert holds one or more bags of filter media. The bags have a very open structure such as coarse weave cotton permitting water entering the drain to pass through each bag and the filter media inside the bag. The entire bag may be conveniently withdrawn from the insert and replaced as the filter media becomes saturated. Preferably, a first bag contains an absorbant cellulose particulate media which absorbs oils and greases and post non-volatile hydrocarbons and a second bag contains specially textured activated carbon which absorbs organically bound heavy metals and volatile hydrocarbons as well other VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Various types of filter media and configurations of these media also allows for the removal of dissolved heavy metals, and even the removal of pathogenic microbes.

Abstract: An adsorbent for removing ketoamine-containing protein, which comprises carrying a compound having a terminal functional group of the formula: ##STR1## wherein each of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is an organic group and X is 0 or 1, on a porous water-insoluble carrier, a process for removing ketoamine-containing protein by employing the above adsorbent, a process for preventing or treating for diabetic complication by removing ketoamine-containing protein with the above adsorbent and an adsorber for removing ketoamine-containing protein.

Abstract: An oil absorbing article is made of an outer covering of wool felt that forms an enclosure containing pine bark. The covering may be in the form of a mat, a pillow, or a boom. The outer covering allows the oil to pass through into the bark, which becomes saturated with the oil. This saturation prevents flow of water to the bark, whereby the article remains floating after absorption of oil.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for separating a hydrophobic liquid from a substantially polar medium through the application of expanded graphite particles. Upon contacting the hydrophobic liquid floating agglomerates of expanded graphite and hydrophobic liquid are formed which may easily be removed from the polar liquid by mechanical means. Following the removal of the agglomerates from the polar medium, the hydrophobic liquid may be separated with little effort and recycled. Further, the adsorptive properties of the expanded graphite can be regenerated allowing the material to be used repeatedly. The present invention is particularly useful for removing liquid hydrocarbons from contaminated bodies of water.

Abstract: A method for regenerating perchloroethylene by passing the fluid through a sorbent resin to remove fatty acids and other organic contaminants which reduce the fluid quality from new fluid quality. The method involves an optional step of treating the fluid with an anionic exchange resin to remove the organic dye contaminants. The key advantage over the prior art is that the process is economical, does not involve evaporative losses as realised in distillation cleaning and is environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A method for the use of a porous, preferably dimensionally stable, particulate material in a packed filter bed for separating a disperse liquid phase from a gas and/or separating a disperse liquid phase from a liquid, with the average size of the particles being in the range of from 0.1 to 10 mm and the internal surface area of the material being such that, after it has been filled with the disperse liquid phase to be separated and placed, as a packed bed, at a distance of from R to r from the center in a centrifuge rotating at an angular velocity w, for which it holds that0<w.sup.2 (R.sup.2 -r.sup.2).ltoreq.20 (rad/s).sup.2 m.sup.2,wherein w stands for the angular velocity (in rad/s) and R and r represent the largest and the smallest radius (in m), respectively, of the material in the centrifuge, at least 1% of the liquid will have been separated after 5 minutes, while at least 10% of the liquid will have been separated after 60 minutes is disclosed.

Abstract: Activated carbon is prepared specially by activating carbonaceous material in a circumstance comprising water vapor less than 15% on volume basis and providing thus treated activated carbon carries alkaline or alkaline earth metal sulfide in it. Thus prepared activated carbon or that carrying these compound provides for method of eliminating mercury and its compounds from liquid hydrocarbons substantially completely contained at a slight amount in it. Liquid hydrocarbons containing mercury or sulfur will harm catalysts which are often applied during process for such intermediates of petroleum products and petrochemical products. Thus the present method is advantageous to processing of such oil intermediates.

Abstract: This invention relates to use of a new and improved form of crystalline material identified as having the structure of SUZ-9 as a sorbent or a catalyst for organic compound, e.g., hydrocarbon compound, conversion.

Abstract: The invention relates to activated support materials which comprise epoxy-substituted poly(meth)acrylamides, characterized in that:a) the base support contains aliphatic hydroxyl groups,b) the covalently bonded polymers are bonded to the support via a terminal monomer unit,c) the polymers contain monomer units of the formula I,d) the monomer units are linearly linked, ##STR1## in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently of one another are H or CH.sub.3,R.sup.4 is H or alkyl having 1-5 carbon atomsandn is an integer between 1 and 5 and to the use thereof.

Abstract: A particulate adsorbent is the crosslinked polymerization product of a brominated vinyl aromatic monomer and a crosslinking monomer and exhibits a density greater than or equal to about 1.01 grams per cubic centimeter and a surface area greater than or equal to about 10 square meters per gram.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved process for absorbing and decontaminating an organic chemical spill comprising the steps of: partially composting plant material; mixing approximately 80% of the partially composted plant material with approximately 20% of dry plant material; inoculating the mixture with about 50 to 100 parts per million by weight of an organic chemical to form an absorbent; mixing the absorbent with about 20% to 40% by volume of spilled organic chemical; adding water; and allowing the mixture to incubate for a suitable time at ambient temperature until the organic chemical spill is neutralized. The plant material may be cotton gin trash or alfalfa hay; or cotton, legumes, alfalfa, tomatoes or their mixtures. The mixture of absorbent and spilled organic chemical may allowed to incubate in a perforated drum with a lid.

Abstract: A method for processing chemical cleaning solvent waste that combines evaporation, purification, and absorption. The method is mobile and thus allows the processing to be done at the site of the cleaning where the entire processing can be completed. Evaporation produces a concentrated solvent and vapor and gas. The concentrated solvent is absorbed to produce a dry residue for long term storage or disposal and a liquid that is filtered and then released to the surrounding environment. The vapor and gas are scrubbed and condensed to produce a gas that is suitable for release and a distillate. The distillate is purified by filtration and reverse osmosis to produce a distillate that is suitable for release.

Abstract: A process for separating dimethyldichlorosilane from methyltrichlorosilane in a mixture. The process comprises contacting a mixture comprising methyltrichlorosilane and dimethyldichlorosilane with silica gel, where the dimethyldichlorosilane is selectively retained by the silica gel. The process provides for the recovery of a methyltrichlorosilane fraction reduced in dimethyldichlorosilane concentration. The present process is especially useful for removing low levels of dimethyldichlorosilane present as a contaminate in methyltrichlorosilane.

Abstract: An organoclay made by the reaction of smectite clay and a quaternary ammonium compound derived from an oil having 50% or more of its carbon chain lengths consisting of C.sub.14 or lower is described as an effective oil spill remediation agent. Oils used include coconut, babasso and palm-kennel oil. Such organoclay's effectiveness as an oil spill remediation agent, and that of organoclays can be increased by (a) further treatment with a water insoluble compound such as vegetable oil and b) by mixture with an organic fibrous material such as waste paper pulp. The agents produced are particularly effective in polar and arctic waters in maintaining buoyancy of the oil agglomeration formed by their use. Methods of remediating oil spills using organoclays particularly useful in regions such as waters of the Alaska oceans and inlets of the North Sea are also described.

Abstract: Acids contaminated with multi-valent metal salts are purified by a process which involves treatment in an acid sorption unit (ASU) and a nanofiltration unit (NFU). The feed solution can first be delivered to the ASU, which produces two solutions, one high in acid concentration and the other high in metal salt concentration. The high acid concentration solution can be treated in the NFU to produce an acid end product and a reject metal salt solution which can be recirculated to the feed of the NFU. Alternatively, the high metal salt solution can be treated in the NFU, and its permeate recirculated to the ASU as eluate. In an alternative configuration, the feed is delivered first to the NFU. In all cases, the membrane reject solution from the NFU is recirculated to increase the metal salt concentration. A second NFU can be used to process the solution from the ASU which contains a high metal salt concentration.

Abstract: The invention is a method of processing a waste liquid containing at least an organic quaternary ammonium hydroxide. The waste liquid is brought into contact with a cation-exchanging material so as to make the organic quaternary ammonium ions adsorbed by the material to thereby remove the ions from the liquid (adsorbing step), and optionally the cation-exchanged water obtained by the contact is again processed to separate and remove resist peelings and surfactants therefrom. The invention is also a method of processing the organic quaternary ammonium hydroxide-containing waste liquid for recovering a valuable substance of the organic quaternary ammonium hydroxide therefrom.

Abstract: A process for the purification of bis(difluoromethyl)ether. Bis(difluoromethyl)ether is exposed to molecular sieves in order to reduce or completely remove impurities. In a further embodiment, the present invention optionally includes means for preferentially inhibiting the formation of CF.sub.2 HOCCl.sub.3 in the formation of bis(difluoromethyl)ether prior to exposing the bis(difluoromethyl)ether to the molecular sieves.

Abstract: A .gamma.-phosphate-linked ATP affinity column for the purification of a protein kinase is provided. In addition, a method for purifying protein kinases using the .gamma.-phosphate-linked ATP affinity column comprising the steps of 1) linking an ATP linking moiety to an affinity column via the .gamma.-phosphate position of ATP; 2) applying a sample of protein kinase to the .gamma.-phosphate linked ATP solid support so as to bind the protein kinase to the .gamma.-phosphate-linked ATP; 3) washing the bound support with a salt which will not affect the binding of the bound protein kinase; and 4) eluting the bound protein kinase with an ATP salt so as to obtain homogenous protein kinase is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved bioremediation process comprising the steps of: (a) inoculating cotton gin trash or an equivalent plant material with soil from a contaminated site; (b) composting the inoculated cotton gin trash; (c) mixing the contaminated soil at a ratio of about 1:1 to about 1:5 by volume with the composted, inoculated cotton gin trash and certain chemical accelerators; and (d) allowing the mixture to incubate for a suitable time at ambient temperature until the contaminated soil is cleansed.

Abstract: A microfibrous sorbent article is provided. The microfibrous sorbent article comprises an elongate boom having a substantially oval cross-section. The boom is formed of multiple adjacent microfibers layers, the layers being bonded to each other by entanglement of fibers between adjacent layers. The boom further contains ion exchange resin, selectively absorbent particulate material, catalytic agent or selectively reactive particulate material.

Abstract: Polymeric adsorbent resins having both the high capacity associated with microporosity and the favorable kinetics associated with mesoporosity and macroporosity are useful for the chromatographic separation of organic compounds. These resins are prepared by alkylene bridging haloalkylated, porogen modified, cross-linked copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for removing iodine compounds from acetic acid, in which the iodine compound is removed by using a solid adsorbent in the form of an activated carbon fiber having a large strength, a large bulk density, and a large specific surface, so that the treatment of large amounts should be possible, that the acetic acid should not be contaminated during the extraction of foreign materials from the adsorbent, and that the adsorbent can be repeatedly used by regenerating it. The method includes the steps of: preparing a filter in the usual manner by using an activated carbon fiber as the adsorbent; and making acetic acid containing an iodide pass through the activated carbon fiber filter, whereby the iodide in acetic acid is removed by being adsorbed by the activated carbon fiber filter.

Abstract: A process for purifying halosilanes consisting of contacting a mixture comprising a halosilane and a hydrocarbon with an adsorbent selective for the hydrocarbon, thereby reducing the hydrocarbon content of the mixture. The present process is particularly useful for removing hydrocarbon contaminates from chlorosilanes, where the hydrocarbon contaminates have a boiling point similar to that of the chlorosilanes.

Abstract: A process for separating polar substances (preferably water, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, nitriles) from hydrocarbon fluids employs a sorbent comprising aluminum borate and zirconium borate. Preferably, the sorbent composition has been prepared by coprecipitation.

Abstract: A method has been discovered for recovering polyoxyalkylene glycols from wastewater. A skimming surface is heated to a temperature above the cloud point. The heated surface is contacted with the wastewater, causing the polymer to deposit. Deposited polymer skimmed from the surface is recovered. Heating, or other processing of the bulk wastewater is avoided.

Abstract: In a continuous adsorption process using dual towers for separation of a multi-component feed with one tower active and the other on regeneration, automatic switching of the tower feed based on loading of a hydrogen fluoride (HF) component in the active tower is achieved by inferring HF loading based on concentration measurement of acid soluble oil (ASO). An optimum switching point, which switches tower feed near full HF capacity of the active tower but before HF breakthrough occurs, is based on calculating a second derivative for a concentration vs. time curve of ASO in the active bed effluent.

Abstract: A product and a process is disclosed for the purpose of biodegrading organic chemical spills on water or land in situ. The product is a dried, macerated plant or vegetable material having a small oil or wax content enabling it to preferentially absorb oil in the presence of water. The product, specifically cotton gin trash, carries a microbial inoculum consisting of indigenous microbes which biodegrade the organic chemical, specifically petroleum hydrocarbons. The process consists of applying the macerated cotton gin trash to the surface of the hydrocarbons floating on water or covering the land. Upon contact of the product with water a dormant inocula of microorganisms are revived. They increase in numbers because of food present in the product, biodegrading the chemical spill in situ.

Abstract: A method of treating a liquid medium to remove from it matter present therein comprises adding to the liquid medium at least one of an at least partially undried sorbing agent (a), a freshly prepared sorbing agent (b) and an in-situ sorbing agent (c). Sorbing agent (a) comprises a hydrotalcite-like material resulting from the preparation thereof in a liquid reaction medium, which preparation allows retention, in the hydrotalcite-like material, of at least 10% of free liquid, based on the weight of the hydrotalcite-like material, including the free liquid, and (a).sub.1 which sorbing agent is present in an amount, on a dry weight basis, of the sorbing agent, by volume of the liquid medium to be treated, of .ltoreq.0.035% w/v, or (a).sub.2 the preparation of the hydrotalcite-like material is such as to provide a grain size of the hydrotalcite-like material of .ltoreq.130 .ANG., as measured in the <001> direction by x-ray diffraction on a subsequently dried material.

Abstract: D-Allose, a sweet non caloric sugar, is recovered from an aqueous solution containing at least on other monosaccharide by adsorptive separation using a calcium loaded ion exchange resin as the adsorbent.

Abstract: Metal cations absorbed within a hydrogel chelation polymer are insolubilized for safe disposal by treating the polymer with a precipitative anion such as carbonate, aluminate, hydroxide, phosphate, silicate, or sulfide. Further insolubilization of the metal cations may be achieved by subsequent treatment of the polymer with a water-dilutable prepolymer composition such as phenol-formaldehyde resin, then heating to cause cross-linking of the prepolymer. The hydrogel chelation polymer, containing metal sulfide formed by virtue of the insolubilization process, is useful in abstracting from water metals whose sulfides are less soluble than the metal sulfide initially within the polymer.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for regenerating a spent liquid acid catalyst comprising the steps of:(a) providing a spent liquid acid catalyst comprising HF, sulfolane, and conjunct polymeric byproducts formed during the HF-catalyzed reaction of isoparaffin and olefin to form isoparafinnic alkylate;(b) providing a finely divided solid sorbent, wherein said solid sorbent preferentially and reversibly sorbs said conjunct polymeric byproducts from a mixture containing HF, sulfolane;(c) mixing said spent liquid acid catalyst of step (a) with said solid sorbent of step (b) by charging said spent liquid acid catalyst to the driving fluid inlet of an eductor and drawing a stream containing said solid sorbent into said eductor;(d) holding said mixture of step (c) in contact for time sufficient for said solid sorbent to preferentially sorb at least a portion of said conjunct polymeric byproducts from said spent liquid acid catalyst to produce a conjunct polymer-enriched sorbent and to regenerate said liquid acid catalyst; an

Abstract: A method of removing olefinic impurity, such as perfluoroisobutylene, from fluoroperhalocarbon liquid, such as perfluorinated liquid, comprising the step of contacting the fluoroperhalocarbon liquid with a body of particles comprising particles selected from the group consisting of alumina, alkali metal oxide, alkali metal hydroxide, alkaline earth oxide, alkaline earth hydroxide, silicon oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, alkaline earth basic carbonate, and alkaline earth basic phosphate, transition metal oxide particles and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing iodide compounds, particularly alkyl iodide compounds, from iodine-containing liquids, particularly carboxylic acids and anhydrides manufactured by the carbonylation of alcohols, ethers, esters, and the like in the presence of a rhodium catalyst and an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt, particularly a lithium salt, wherein the carboxylic acid or anhydride is contacted with a silver or mercury salt coordinated to a polymeric resin containing functional groups having the capability to quaternize with or form ionic salts with the alkyl halides.

Abstract: A process for absorbing silver from photographic hypo solutions involves passing the hypo solution through a bed consisting of a multitude of a sponge product confined within a vessel. The sponge product is derived from an open-celled cellulosic sponge into which there has been incorporated 30% to 80% by weight of a polymer produced by the thermal interaction of polyethyleneimine (PEI) with a polycarboxylic acid. The polymer further contains an activating multivalent cation and between 90% and 300% water. Silver is eluted from the sponge product employing aqueous solutions of a complexing agent such as an ammonium compound or a cyanide compound. Following a water wash, the bed of sponge product is ready for its next cycle of silver absorption.

Abstract: Various peptides having affinity for sulfated polysaccharides such as heparin, dextran sulfate and Pentosan polysulfate are bound to resins and used in affinity chromatography to prepare anti-HIV sulfated polysaccharides.

Abstract: The removal of organo-toxins from aqueous sources can be achieved efficiently by contacting the water source with hydrotalcite-like materials. The toxins include organo-chlorines, insect resist agents, and wool treatment byproducts.