Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to handling of organic contaminants in aqueous streams. The methods and apparatus enable removing the contaminants, such as naphthenic acids, from the aqueous streams and then converting the contaminants into hydrocarbons. The removing and converting of the organic contaminates results in treated discharge and generation of the hydrocarbons, which add to amount of hydrocarbon recovery.

Abstract: A light weight oriented net or netting assembly is provided for oil capture and containment. The netting assembly is made by biaxially stretching or orienting starting materials to form a pattern of oriented strands and integral junctions that, while being light in weight, is also strong enough to be used to capture and remove oil from contaminated water without an outer stabilizing jacket. The assembly is preferably made from oriented polypropylene netting that is folded, gathered, bunched and/or otherwise layered upon itself on the order of 16-64 times and then crimped in one or more locations to secure the netting layers in a bow tie or tubular configuration that forms net cavities and an open cell structure to capture and contain oil that has been dispersed in water. Oil in the netting assembly can then be removed, such as by pressing or other removal process, after which the netting assembly may be reused.

Abstract: Lipophilic, oil-absorbing and oil-adsorbing polymeric compositions are used to capture oily substances and hydrophobic materials from the surface of various aqueous media. The resultant compound floats in water, can be easily removed therefrom and can be processed in conventional refinery processes to recover the oil and the remaining components.

Abstract: The adsorption properties of the adsorbent product, based on a porous mineral such as particularly pumice stone, result from the carbon formed on the walls of the pores of the mineral by cracking of an organic product, such as sugar or treatment plant sludges, previously impregnated in the pores of the mineral, the carbon thus formed making the product hydrophobic. After absorption of pollutant hydrocarbons by the product, the impregnated mineral is heated in a heat treatment unit, in the absence of oxygen, to bring it to a sufficient temperature to evaporate the hydrocarbons and/or decompose by cracking the organic product or hydrocarbon molecules and form or regenerate the carbon deposit. Application to the manufacture and to the recycling of an adsorbent product for the depollution particularly of bodies of waters or rivers polluted by hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An oil sorbent material particularly for removing an oil slick from water is hydrophobic, in the form of a free-flowing dry powder, and preferentially absorbs oil from the slick, forming buoyant clumps which are easily skimmed or screened from water. Absorbed oil can be recovered from the clumps of sorbent material by several methods including solvent extraction, and heating to liquefy or vaporize the absorbed oil, allowing recovery of a significant fraction of oil spilled on or in water.

Abstract: An adjustable and removable skimming assembly is provided for attaching to the bow of a watercraft. When mounted, the skimming assembly presents vertically orientated starboard, port and bow cages that house oil absorbent padding. The cages with the positioned pads are largely porous so that at slow watercraft velocities, the water flows through the pads but the oil is retained within the pads across a substantially horizontal plane. As the pads become oil saturated along this common plane, the vertical cages are adjusted to expose a section of the pad that is not saturated. This process is repeated until the entire pad surface is saturated. The resistance force created by the water against the starboard and port cages during movement is countered by a plurality of tethering cables extending from the structural members attached to the bow of the watercraft to the outer edges of the cages.

Abstract: Methods of recovering hydrocarbons from an area that is contaminated or threatened with contamination with hydrocarbons may include deploying hydrophobic absorbent material such that at least some of the hydrophobic absorbent material contacts at least some of the hydrocarbons, allowing the hydrophobic absorbent material to absorb at least some of the hydrocarbons, and collecting the hydrophobic absorbent material from the area using a netting apparatus. The hydrophobic absorbent material may include cellulose treated with borax.

Abstract: Methods, system, compositions for a green sorption media for bioretention soil amendments in drainfields for on-site waste water systems filled with the green sorption media to foster an anaerobic or anoxic environment saturated. The green sorption media includes one or more recycled materials, including tire crumb, sawdust, orange peel, coconut husks, leaf compost, oyster shell, soy bean hulls and one or more naturally occurring materials including peat, sands, zeolites, and clay. The wastewater filtration system for a passive drainfield includes the green sorption material mixture, a cell including baffled compartments and a riser, the cell filled with green sorption material mixture to provide an alternating cycle of aerobic and anoxic environments, an influent distribution system to distribute the influent over the cell, and a piping system arranged for dosing the cell to sustain the functionality of the green sorption material mixture to remove nutrient content in wastewater.

Abstract: Modified and insoluble starches are utilized for eliminating natural organic substances/contaminants from liquids and in particular from liquids used for food applications, such as drinking water, beverages, fruit juices or syrups, as well as natural water, industrial process water, or wastewater.

Abstract: A method of scavenging oil from an oil-water mixture includes providing a plurality of functionalized fly ash particles having functionalized surfaces including reactive groups or reactive materials having hydrophobic groups covalently bound to the reactive groups or reactive materials. The oil-water mixture is contacted with the plurality of functionalized fly ash particles. The plurality of functionalized fly ash particles absorb oil from the oil-water mixture to form oil-laden fly ash particles. The oil-laden fly ash particles can be fed into a combustion process to generate heat from oil absorbed thereon, or absorbed oil from the oil-laden fly ash particles can be separated using a desorption process, and the oil recovered after separating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of water by adding surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate or an aqueous suspension comprising surface-reacted calcium carbonate and having a pH greater than 6.0 measured at 20° C., to the medium, wherein the surface-reacted calcium carbonate is a reaction product of natural calcium carbonate with carbon dioxide and one or more acids and the use of the surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate for this process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the removal of endocrine disrupting compounds from an aqueous medium by adding surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate or an aqueous suspension comprising surface-reacted calcium carbonate and having a pH greater than 6.0 measured at 20° C., to the medium, wherein the surface-reacted calcium carbonate is a reaction product of natural calcium carbonate with carbon dioxide and one or more acids, the use of the surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate for the removal of endocrine disrupting compounds, as well as to a combination of a surface-reacted natural calcium carbonate and activated carbon for the removal of endocrine disrupting compounds.

Abstract: Strong fabrics with an affinity for oil can be deployed from boats and other sea vessels to absorb oil that has been spilled into oceans, gulfs, rivers, or other bodies of water. For example, strong nylon spunbonded fabrics can be used to soak up oil from bodies of water. The fabrics can also be used in concert with other methods, such as with containment booms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a temporary grate cover apparatus for placement over a storm water grate to filter sediment and trash from entering the storm drain during a construction project and to a method of making and attaching a storm water grate cover to a storm water grate.

Abstract: The invention provides inter alia a mineral complex comprising about 40 wt. % to about 60 wt. % SiO2, about 6 wt. % to about 16 wt. % Fe2O3, about 4 wt. % to about 12 wt. %. CaO, about 2 wt. % to about 8 wt. % MgO, wherein at least 85% of the mineral complex has a particle size of about 10 to about 6000 mesh, related compositions and methods for their use, including for growth medium augmentation and remediation.

Abstract: An adsorbent for immunosuppressive substance, which can adsorb an excessive immunosuppressive substance directly from a body fluid, can carry out extracorporeal perfusion safely and can be utilized in treatment of cancer. The excessive immunosuppressive substance may be involved in growth of cancer cells. The adsorbent for immunosuppressive substance includes a water-insoluble carrier and a hydrophilic amino group immobilized to the water-insoluble carrier. An extracorporeal perfusion column contains the adsorbent of the invention. A method for treating cancer carries out extracorporeal perfusion using the extracorporeal perfusion column. A method of adsorbing the transforming growth factor ? which is combined with another protein, includes adsorbing the transforming growth factor ? and protein on an adsorbent containing a water-insoluble carrier to which quaternary ammonium groups each having 3 to 18 carbon atoms per one nitrogen atom are attached, and having a specific surface area of 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of mixed mode chromatography for purification of at least one intact non-aggregated antibody from a mixture containing intact non-aggregated antibodies and undesirable materials, including fragmented or aggregated antibodies, host cell proteins, DNA, endotoxin, and/or virus. This invention further relates to the integration of such a method into a multi-step procedure with other fractionation methods for purification of antibodies suitable for in vivo applications.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for separation/collection of a lignin derivative which is useful for the separation of a lignin derivative having a 1,1-diphenylpropane unit and/or a unit derived from the 1,1-diphenylpropane unit from a mixture system containing the lignin derivative. In the Present invention, a lignin derivative having a 1,1-diphenylpropane unit and/or a unit derived from the 1,1-dipheylpropane unit is allowed to contact with a metal oxide in a liquid medium, thereby separating the lignin derivative in the form retained on the metal oxide.

Abstract: The inventive process involves the treatment of oil spills on a water or a solid surface. Once an oil spill has occurred, the oil spill is contained into a certain area. There after, the oil is sprinkled or spread upon with an adsorbent material which has a tendency to soak up the oil and maintain the same in its interstices created by a mass of particles. The particles do not allow the oil to integrate within its composition. Once the mass of oil and adsorbent material has been established, the mass may be recovered by removing the mass from the surface of the water or from a solid surface. Thereafter the mass is transported to a recovery system where the oil is removed or recovered from the mass by squeezing or pressing. The method also includes the step of collecting vapors that are generated by the spilled oil. There after, the adsorbent material may be used again in another oil spill after drying.

Abstract: Media compositions for use in wastewater treatment, stormwater treatment, CSO treatment and greenroof stormwater management systems as filtration media, plant growth media or pollutant retention media. Media composition includes at least one of a recycled material selected from a group consisting of tire crumb, wood sawdust and paper and a naturally occurring material selected from a group consisting of sand, limestone, sandy clay, expanded clay, organics used for processing geothermal water, organics used for agricultural drainage basins and filtration, and organics for aquaculture drainage and organics used for silviculture and forest drainage, and organics used as growing media.

Abstract: Methods, systems and compositions for a green sorption media for bioretention soil amendments in drainfields for on-site waste water systems filled with the green sorption media to foster an anaerobic or anoxic environment saturated. The green sorption media includes one or more recycled materials, including tire crumb, sawdust, orange peel, coconut husks, leaf compost, oyster shell, soy bean hulls and one or more naturally occurring materials including peat, sands, zeolites, and clay. The wastewater filtration system for a passive drainfield includes the green sorption material mixture, a cell including baffled compartments and a riser, the cell filled with green sorption material mixture to provide an alternating cycle of aerobic and anoxic environments, an influent distribution system to distribute the influent over the cell, and a piping system arranged for dosing the cell to sustain the functionality of the green sorption material mixture to remove nutrient content in wastewater.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing naphthenic acid from a waste water stream using a composition containing a zeolite and carbon, wherein the carbon is present on the exterior surfaces and pore surfaces of the zeolite, for removal of at least a portion of the naphthenic acid from the waste water stream resulting in a treated water stream comprising less naphthenic acid than the waste water stream.

Abstract: The separation of particles in or from liquids is a necessary method in many procedures in biotechnology, biological research, diagnostic, and treatment of diseases. Commonly, methods are used which are based on differences in density (sedimentation) or size (filtration) of the particles. The invention discloses a device which can be used to concentrate particles within a cylinder by means of a free movable positioning of at least one separating membrane and one plunger within the cylinder. The device is suitable for the time unlimited use in a closed circuit. The invention further discloses a method for the preferable continuous separation of particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a specific ligand for antibodies, preferably autoantibodies in the manufacture of a column for the treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans. The invention pertains furthermore to the apharesis column with at least one anti-IgG antibody for the treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans.

Abstract: There disclosed a water reuse method in which a surfactant is easily removed from surfactant-including for-treatment water in a cleaning device, whereby water can be reused, and an adsorbent can easily be regenerated only by exposing the adsorbent to an electrolytic solution, and a washing machine including the function. The method includes a surfactant adsorption treatment step of performing a treatment to adsorb and remove a surfactant in surfactant-including for-treatment water such as cleaning water and rinse water used in a washing machine W by hydrotalcite as an anion exchanger or zeolite as a cation exchanger, and a water reuse step of using, in the washing machine W, the for-treatment water treated in the surfactant adsorption treatment step.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for separation/collection of a lignin derivative which is useful for the separation of a lignin derivative having a 1,1-diphenylpropane unit and/or a unit derived from the 1,1-diphenylpropane unit from a mixture system containing the lignin derivative. In the Present invention, a lignin derivative having a 1,1-diphenylpropane unit and/or a unit derived from the 1,1-dipheylpropane unit is allowed to contact with a metal oxide in a liquid medium, thereby separating the lignin derivative in the form retained on the metal oxide.

Abstract: A dry product that permanently removes oil and oil stains from liquid or dry surfaces and is environmentally safe. The dry product is formed by mixing efficacious proportions of untreated amorphous silica with a dry, inert organic, inorganic or synthetic carrier, or combinations of said carriers. Suitable inert carriers include, but are not limited to, (a) inert inorganic carriers including, but not limited to, clays, perlite, vermiculite, crushed glass, volcanic ash and sand; (b) inert organic carriers, including, but not limited to, peat moss, straw, hay, sawdust, ground corncobs, flours, and coconut coir, and (c) inert synthetic carriers, including, but not limited to, polyurethane, polyethylene and polypropylene. The dry product can be applied directly to oil stains either on a hard surface, such as concrete or asphalt, or to oil spills on water.

Abstract: A method of removing impurities from a urea solution comprising contacting the aqueous solution with an ion exchange resin and adsorbing the impurities from the urea solution, and the system therefore.

Abstract: The use of a sulfur-impregnated organoclay provides a mercury or arsenic removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The Hg/As removal media described herein is prepared by impregnating an organophilic clay with elemental (free state) sulfur. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with impregnating the organoclay with sulfur.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system and a method for purifying and storing water produced from atmospheric air to provide a safe, inexpensive source of potable water. Improvements over prior systems and methods include the use of two isolated air chambers, one for ambient air used to capture moisture from the atmosphere, and another for clean rechargeable air to convert the captured moisture into condensate and using a rotating mass of hygroscopic material and a condensation unit, each of which is periodically sterilized by heat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating proteins from liquid media, comprising providing a liquid medium containing proteins, providing a clay material which has: a specific surface greater than 150 m2/g, a pore volume greater than 0.35 ml/g, an ion exchange capacity greater than 40 meq/100 g, and a sediment volume in water of less than 15 ml/2 g, equilibrating said clay material to a pH of from 3.5 to 9.0, treating said liquid medium with the equilibrated clay material, and separating the purified, protein-depleted liquid medium from the clay material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that promote the remediation of contaminated materials that are produced during industrial processes. These systems and methods include heating a material, transferring heat from the material to an industrial process. During this transfer, contaminants may be introduced into the material. These methods may remove the contaminant by treating the material with a surface modified nanoceramic through nanofiltration and/or active sites adsorption/reaction. The surface modified nanoceramic may remove at least part of the contaminant in the material. No cooling required prior to removing the contaminant from the material, which can lead to great energy saving and pollution reduction.

Abstract: Calcium carbonate (CaCO3; calcite) and CaCO3-containing materials are known to have high adsorption capacities for polar organic compounds. This invention includes the use of CaCO3 and CaC O3-containing materials (e.g., synthetic calcite, calcite coated sorbents) and their mixture with other materials (e.g., activated carbon, resins) for removing bioagents (viruses, bacteria, hormones, pharmaceutical intermediates, and other hazardous biological agents) from waters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing oil from water or a solid surface. This involves contacting the water or the solid surface with a substance in the form of a sheet and having a high humate level under conditions effective for the substance to absorb oil from the water or the solid surface. The substance, having absorbed oil, is then recovered from the water or solid surface. In an alternative embodiment this method can be carried out where the substance is manure which may or may not be in the form of a sheet.

Abstract: Method for the removal of organic components from a mixture of organic components and water, characterised in that it comprises the steps of guiding the mixture through at least one vessel (3) in which has been provided an amount of organoclay (17) in at least one removable casing (18) which is permeable to liquids and gasses but not to organoclay particles, or on a supporting structure (28) from where the organoclay particles cannot come off, such that the amount of organoclay particles is at any time part of a removable entity; and of producing a flow through the aforesaid mixture in this vessel (3) by guiding a flow of gas bubbles through this mixture.

Abstract: A drain basin insert having a housing, with the housing having a sidewall having a top edge and a bottom edge, and with the housing having a perforated base member secured to the sidewall at the lower edge of the sidewall, and with the housing having an outwardly extending flange at the top edge of the sidewall. The insert also includes a secondary filter means having a permeable container having hydrophobic filter media therein. The insert also has a perforated, rigid structural member having a bottom wall and a raised portion, with the raised portion attached to the bottom wall and extending upwardly therefrom. The insert also has a primary filter means having an outer sidewall, a bottom surface, and a central portion, with the bottom surface contacting the bottom wall of the perforated structural member, and with the central portion contacting the raised portion of the perforated structural member.

Abstract: The use of a coupling agent containing a mercapto, disulfide, tretrasulfide and/or polysulfide end group provides a mercury removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The mercury removal media described herein is prepared by reacting an organophilic clay containing onium ions with a mercapto, disulfide, tetrasulfide, and/or polysulfide end moiety. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with the coupling reaction of the mercapto- or sulfide- end group-containing coupling agent.

Abstract: Oil in an oil spill is collected by laying an elongate generally flat mat onto and around the spill where the mat is formed from strips of material arranged side by side and connected at spaced positions longitudinally to define a honeycomb structure with top and bottom surfaces of the mat defined by edges of the strips. The mat is unrolled from a supply and laid onto the surface of a body of water in which the spill has occurred so that open empty tubular cells stand upwardly from the surface allowing the oil to be absorbed into the cells. The oil can be squeezed out by pressing the strips together to close the cells.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed apparatus and methods that can be used to receive a volume of potable water from a source and to treat the volume of water so as to improve the perceived or actual aesthetic quality of the water, and to thereafter contain the treated water such that it can be used or consumed. In general, the apparatus comprises a container capable of receiving a volume of water, and a capture element within the container that is capable of removing at least a portion of such substances in the water as may be perceived as impacting water quality. The capture element comprises sorbent media that is capable of removing at least some portion of such undesirable substances, and that may comprise, for example, activated carbon and the like.

Abstract: Materials and methods for the selective removal of lipopolysaccharide during the purification of molecules of bio-pharmaceutical interest are based on a polymeric substrate that binds lipopolysaccharide. Preferably, the polymeric substrate is selective for at least one of heptose and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid. The substrate can be formed by a process comprising: (i) contacting a homogeneous polymer solution and a template solution; (ii) carrying out a phase inversion of the resulting solution; and (iii) removing the template.

Abstract: Materials, compositions, substances and methods and systems for stormwater treatment in wet ponds, dry ponds and a green roof system. A first embodiment provides in-situ treatment unit within the retention pond by withdrawing the stored stormwater to circulate the stored stormwater into the in-situ treatment unit to sorb nitrogen from the stored stormwater. A second embodiment provides uses a riprap apron, a perforated riser located at the bottom of the riprap apron and a geotextile media encased in a sorption media jacket around the perforated riser. A third embodiment provides a green roof stormwater treatment system that includes protection for waterproofing and insulating the roof, a pollution control media layer for filtration and sorption of solids and dissolved materials found in stormwater, a growing media for growing vegetation, and a cistern to store the runoff stormwater between irrigation events.

Abstract: A method for reducing antimicrobial compound levels in a liquid composition containing at least one antimicrobial compound. The method comprises contacting said liquid composition with a functionalized resin. Antimicrobial compounds that may be removed by this method include isothiazolin-3-ones, e.g., 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one; 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and N-alkyl derivatives thereof, especially N-methyl and N-n-butyl; 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide (DBNPA); 2-bromo-2-nitropropanediol (BNPD); dithio-2,2?-bis(benzmethylamide) (DTBMA); hexetidine; chlorphenesin, C1-C4 alkyl-4-hydroxybenzoates (alkyl parabens); 3-iodopropynylbutylcarbamate (IPBC); formaldehyde releasers and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nanostructured material comprising defective carbon nanotubes chosen from impregnated, functionalized, doped, charged, coated, and irradiated nanotubes, and combinations thereof. The defective carbon nanotubes contain a defect which is a lattice distortion in at least one carbon ring. Also disclosed is a method of purifying fluids, such as liquids, including water, as well as gases, including the air using, this nanostructured material.

Abstract: Method for treatment of oil on a solid or liquid surface to facilitate subsequent removal of the oil from the surface. A fat-soluble metal containing substance comprising an organic anion and a metallic cation is added to the oil. The metal containing substance may be prepared by allowing a metal salt to react with an acidic organic compound in a process in which a suitable oxidation agent ensures that all the metal in the end product is present at its highest stable oxidation state while at least one volatile compound is formed during the preparation. A polymeric material with a high specific surface area may optionally be added or a prepolymer for allowing subsequent formation of such a polymeric material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a crystallisable composition comprising a TSHR polypeptide, to crystals comparing a TSHR polypeptide and to TSHR-related applications.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for removing hydrazine compounds from solutions. Solutions containing hydrazine compounds are contacted with crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of antibodies from one or more impurities in a liquid, which process comprises contacting said liquid with a first chromatography resin comprised of a support to which multi-modal ligands have been immobilised to adsorb the antibodies to the resin, wherein each multi-modal ligand comprises at least one cation-exchanging group and at least one aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system; adding an eluent to release the antibodies from the resin; and contacting the eluate so obtained with a second chromatography resin. In one embodiment, the ring-forming atoms of the aromatic or heteroaromatic entity are selected from the group consisting of C, S and O, and the cation exchanging group is a weak cation exchanger.

Abstract: Colored wastewater from industries, agriculture and the like is discolored by adjusting pH of the wastewater and filtering the wastewater through a mixture of acid-treated sawdust produced from sawdust which has been disposed of after being used for fungi production and charcoal thereby to remove a color component fraction from the wastewater and through a filter material, for example acid-treated rice husk charcoal, in which autochthonous microorganisms are embedded thereby to absorb color components remaining in the wastewater.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in the treatment of contaminated fluid is provided. The apparatus includes a body portion, made from a mixture of a waste adsorbent material and a binder material, for use in the removal of contaminants. The adsorbent material may be a nanosorbent material manufactured from self-assembled monolayers on mesoporous supports (SAMMS). The binder material, on the other hand, may include any thermoplastic material capable of binding the adsorbent material together to subsequently provide a composite material that can be shaped into a block. A method for treatment of contaminated fluid is also provided.

Abstract: A method for removing a contaminant from a fluid system comprises contacting the fluid system with an inversely fluidized material, for example a particulate aerogel, thereby removing at least a portion of the contaminant from the fluid system. The method can be used to remove oil or other organic materials from wastewater streams. It can be conducted in a fluidized bed, which includes nanoporous particles and a fluidizing medium, wherein the nanoporous particles have a density lower than that of the fluidizing medium.