Abstract: An activated carbon that is capable of adsorbing taste-and-odor-causing and other organic compounds, wherein the activated carbon comprises a uniquely modified carbonaceous material. The activated carbon comprising: (a) a pore volume per gram of the activated carbon more than about 0.32 mL in the pore width range between about 4 to 63 angstroms; and (b) a pore volume per gram of the activated carbon more than about 0.21 mL in the pore width range between about 63 to 500 angstroms; provided that the pore volume per gram of the activated carbon in the pore width range of about 20 to 63 angstroms is at least about 25% of the total pore volume per gram of the activated carbon in the pore width range of 4 to 63 angstroms, as measured per the Argon Adsorption Density Functional Theory protocol; provided that the activated carbon has a pH equal to or greater than 9.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-element filtering system assuring serial filtration of a liquid through multiple filter cartridges while enabling flushing without requiring removal of the filter cartridges. Both conventional and reverse osmosis filtration is performed, sequentially, within the system. After filtration, the water is subjected to ultraviolet irradiation for purification. The filter cartridges are held within a canister which is pressed against the cap and constrained against rotation with the cap. The canister is divided into chambers, and has passages in its floor arranged to enable serial transfer of liquid from one chamber to the next. Flushing employs liquid introduced under normal pressure. Passages leading to the flush liquid outlet enable flushing to proceed when the flush liquid outlet is opened. At other times, filtered liquid will pass through passages leading to the filtered liquid outlet.

Abstract: A filtration cartridge faucet assembly contains a filtration cartridge having a filter core that is concealed beneath a sink deck through the use of an escutcheon mount. The escutcheon mount permits access to a renewable filtration cartridge from above the sink deck while concealing and protecting the filtration body. The renewable filtration cartridge is equipped with a flow control device, as well as counter rotation devices that prevent undesirable outrotation of a threaded cap.

Abstract: The liquid effluent from solvent extraction contains radioactive thorium Th-231 and Th-234. This invention uses an ion exchange process to remove and concentrate the thorium. The process is designed so that the thorium remains on the ion exchange column until it decays to uranium and protactinium. These decay products are subsequently replaced by additional thorium. Therefore, the thorium never reaches break-through and the column can be used continuously without regeneration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating groundwater, or other water streams contaminated with oxygenate(s), particularly MTBE and TBA, characterized by improved biodegradation of MTBE, the biodegradation of TBA, and reduced frequency of the need to change the carbon bed, which comprises inoculating a biodegrader capable of degrading said oxygenate on an activated carbon bed through a rigid tubular instrument having a plurality of holes around the circumference of the end used for inoculation of the carbon bed by a method that optimizes dispersion and colonization; and flowing said groundwater, or other water stream contaminated with said oxygenate through a structure having a top, bottom and sides and a predetermined volume containing said bed of activated carbon having said biodegrader inoculated thereon. The invention is also an apparatus for biodegradation of oxygenate(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-element filtering system assuring serial filtration of a liquid through multiple filter cartridges while enabling flushing without requiring removal of the filter cartridges. Both conventional and reverse osmosis filtration is performed, sequentially, within the system. The filter cartridges are held within a canister which is pressed against the cap and constrained against rotation with the cap. The canister is divided into chambers, and has passages in its floor arranged to enable serial transfer of liquid from one chamber to the next. Flushing employs liquid introduced under normal pressure. Passages leading to the flush liquid outlet enable flushing to proceed when the flush liquid outlet is opened. At other times, filtered liquid will pass through passages leading to the filtered liquid outlet. Liquid is circulated to assure filtration even when flushing, so that contamination of filtered liquid is precluded.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for processing liquid waste solutions containing organic molecules such as organic chemical molecules and biological agents or materials. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of solid phase binders for the removal of organic molecules from liquid waste solutions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for treating various kinds of drain water and waste liquid which treatment now becomes a problem, for example, drain water and waste liquid containing hardly removable phosphorus and nitrogen, waste liquid containing organochlorine compounds such as tetrachloroethylene, etc., excretive drain water from a piggery containing organonitrogen compounds at a high level, waste liquid containing heavy metals such as lead, hexavalent chromium, cadmium and the like, drain water from dairy product plants, fishery processing plants, slaughterhouses, etc. which contains water soluble protein at a high level, drain water from pulp plants, photo developing waste liquid, car wash drain water containing a mixture of car polishing wax and detergent and the like by the use of porous ceramics provided with amorphous pore surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removing hormone(s) from a liquid, the method comprising contacting the liquid with a filter comprising activated carbon fibers.

Abstract: An extruded, thin-walled activated carbon filter tube having a wall thickness of about 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) or less and an average dry density sufficient to remove at least about 99.5% of sub-micron particles from a liquid filtered through said tube.

Abstract: A system and method for purifying water in large quantities for drinking. The system comprises a housing having a water inlet, filtering means connected to the water inlet for filtering sediment and particulate matter from the water, an inlet pump to keep the water flowing through the housing at a predetermined pressure and a mixed bed multimedia unit connected to the filtering means for removing pollutants and controlling organic growth from the water. There is also an ultra-violet treatment means connected to the mixed bed multimedia unit for subjecting the water in the system to ultraviolet radiation and carbon block filtration means disposed for a final filtering prior to dispensing the water at one or more dispensing. There is also a bottle washing means provided within the housing for cleaning water bottles prior to filling with the purified water. The system can supply drinking water for entire communities, yet is portable enough to be easily transported to disaster areas.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained, fully integrated water purification device which includes a receptacle modified to accommodate a filtration assembly for purifying water, and to store water following purification. The receptacle provides separate openings for water intake, and water outflow. The filtration assembly includes a pump and a multistage filter cartridge. Pump action draws water into the water purification device and forces the water through the multistage filter and into the receptacle. Purified water may be stored in the receptacle until consumption.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an oil treatment apparatus and method for treatment of oil which transports oil to be treated from a source through a first conduit to a treatment station. The treatment station includes a filter system capable of extracting particulate material from the oil and removing the particulate material from the filter system as it is removed from the oil. The treated oil may then be transported for reuse, preferably in a continuous cycle with the source of the oil. A prefiltering system may be used to further enhance maintaining the quality of the oil and/or in efficiently treating the oil while accommodating throughput requirements. The prefiltering system may include a comminuter to reduce the size of larger particles in the oil, a coarse filtering system to remove larger particle, a system to introduce a treatment material to the oil or other systems to facilitate processing.

Abstract: This invention relates to wastewater treatment, process and preferred systems for practice of the process for the removal of organic and inorganic ingredients contaminating wastewater, thereby to allow the reuse or sewer discharge of water used in various manufacturing and other processes. The process of the invention typically involves initial filtration of the wastewater and contact with a paste mixture consisting of magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium orthophosphate, ferric sulfate, sodium hydrocarbonate, and activated carbon, the activated carbon removing organics such as dyes and the like while the paste mixture precipitates inorganics for subsequent mechanical removal. After treatment with the paste mixture, precipitating compounds are added to precipitate other inorganics. Flocculating agents are then added for further clarification purposes. Material removal then occurs by mechanical extraction including filtration, settling and the like.

Abstract: A method of making a coating formulation prior to its introduction onto a web to be printed by an ink jet printer. The method includes the steps of: determining the nature and amount of undesirable substances in a component of the coating formulation, adjusting the pH of the component, contacting the pH adjusted component with a first activated carbon material, filtering the thus treated component, contacting the thus treated component with a second activated carbon material, and filtering the thus treated component and combining it with other components of the coating formulation to yield a treated coating formulation having a reduced amount of the undesirable substances.

Abstract: A method for re-use of the same water to do multiple loads of laundry over and over again. The method includes the step of collecting the used wash water from a washing maching. A lint/grit removal stop is followed by a second lint removing step. A free oil removal step is followed by a grease, hydrocarbon and suspended solid removal step undertaken by a media filter. A hydrocarbon absorption filter step is then followed by an activated carbon filter step. The used wash water is further purified by an ozone injection step. Still further, a heat exchange step is provided before the step of re-introducing the used wash water back to a washing machine facility from whence it came.

Abstract: An improved process for the treatment of water, selected from livestock wastewater and a livestock water stream, which process comprises adding to said water a composition comprising a sufficient amount of an acid to lower the water pH to less than 3.5 to 2.0; and wherein said acid is selected from the group of 1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6-(1H,3H,5H)-hydroxyalkyltriglyoxilic acid (PR-1409SA); 2,2-oxy-diacetic acid; 2,2-ether diglycolic acid; sulfamic acid; and sulfuric acid.

Abstract: An amorphous potassium aluminosilicate filtration media which may be mixed with activated carbon filters water to remove oxygen, chlorines, hardness, alkalinity, ammonia, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, sodium sulfite and other contaminants. The particular sodium aluminosilicate is a porous amorphous material formed under ultraviolet light or sunlight to produce pore sizes of 60 Å to 250 Å at ambient temperatures (20° C.-35° C.) and low relative humidity (5%-20%). The media is initially formed as a microporous primarily amorphous gel containing Na2O, Al2O3, SiO2 and H2O. The sodium therein is displaced by potassium, whereby the filter removes impurities from water without introducing sodium. The potassium aluminosilicate may be a second stage filter to a first stage filter composed of a strong base anion media charged with potassium carbonate and/or bicarbonate.

Abstract: A method for the removal of psoralens and psoralen degradation products is disclosed. The method of the present invention is useful for any biological fluid that has been treated with psoralens, including blood and blood fractions and components derived therefrom. Biological fluids treated according to the method of the present invention are substantially free from any residual psoralens or psoralen degradation products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process to remove quaternary ammonium salt (QS), from brine solution. The process uses an adsorbent selected from the group consisting of activated carbon and pyrolyzed sulfonated polystyrene divinylbenzene resin, or mixtures thereof which aids in removing the quaternary ammonium salt (QS). The process can be generally carried out at a temperature ranging from about −10° C. to about 90° C., at a pH ranging from about 1 to about 13.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing impurities from a liquid and a method for purifying a fusarium toxin in a solution extracted from an infected source is described. The method includes passing the solution through a layer of activated charcoal prior to a layer of aluminum oxide.

Abstract: A process is described for the removal of mercury present at levels of 1-5000 ppb in waste water discharged from clinical research laboratories, industries and hospitals. The process involves preoxidation of the influent waste water with very small amounts of hypochlorite (16-100 ppm levels)or hydrogen peroxide, in a pretreatment tank. The waste water is then serially filtered through two pre filters and four carbon columns at a flow rate of 5 bedvolumes/hr. The preoxidation, prefiltration, organic removal, heavy metals removal (second column) and polishing stages (third and fourth) are important to achieve very low levels of mercury in the effluent. The last three columns contain activated coconut shell carbon impregnated with mercaptothiazoline . The three columns of the mercaptothiazoline impregnated carbon remove mercury and other heavy metals successively and reduce their levels in the influent to very low levels that is well below the enforced limit of 1 ppb.

Abstract: Filter devices for simultaneously removing leukocytes and viral inactivating agents from whole blood or blood fractions are disclosed. One type of device comprises (1) a housing surrounding (2) activated carbon and (3) a mechanically stable polymeric material which may optionally be modified to attach a ligand for leukocytes. General methods for removing leukocytes and viral inactivating agents from blood and plasma are also disclosed.

Abstract: An activated carbon-crystalline titanium and/or tin silicate composite for purifying waste streams and method of making. The method involves providing a combination of a synthetic carbon precursor, and titanium and/or tin silicate, followed by curing, carbonizing, and activating the carbon precursor. The composite is used to purify fluid streams such as water, of pollutants such as VOC's, heavy metals such as lead, and chlorine.

Abstract: The hydrophilic organic contaminants and hydrogen peroxide present in semiconductor fabrication reclaims are removed by means of adsorption of a pyrolysate of a macroreticular sulphonated vinyl-aromatic polymer having a carbon content of at least 85% by weight and a carbon/hydrogen atomic ratio of from 1.5:1 to 20:1. In spite of their hydrophobic surface, the pyrolysates have a comparatively high adsorptivity for these contaminants and provide for distinctively higher removal rates than customary activated carbons.

Abstract: The invention relates to a 3-step process for removing water-soluble organics from waste streams. The first step involves contacting a waste stream with base, the second step involves contacting the organics-containing water with free oil and finally the free oil phase is separated from the aqueous phase to produce substantially organic-free water.

Abstract: Membranes and methods for making membranes are disclosed. The membranes include a polymeric matrix and a particulate material immobilized within the matrix. The membranes may find particular application in methods and apparatus for removing organic compounds from a biological fluid as part of a pathogen inactivation treatment.

Abstract: Anthraquinone is removed from tall oil or tall oil fraction by adsorption with activated carbon. The process is particularly useful in the removal of anthraquinone from tall oil heads.

Abstract: In a process for the partial desalination of water, especially of drinking water, with a mixture of weakly acid cation exchangers and strongly basic anion exchangers, whereby the charged ion exchangers are regenerated by CO.sub.2 -containing water, if required, with the addition of CaCO.sub.3, CaCO.sub.3 /MgO, Ca(OH).sub.2 or the like. Simultaneous with the partial desalination, the organic carbon compounds present in the water are reduced, whereby the charged ion exchangers are intermittently regenerated with HCl, NaCl, NaOH, or a mixture of NaCl and NaOH.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method for reducing the content of organic solvent in an aqueous dispersion of a cellulose-reactive hydrophobing agent, prepared by emulsifying a molten cellulose-reactive hydrophobing agent containing organic solvent in an aqueous solution containing one or more emulsifying agents. The method comprises contacting the aqueous dispersion under agitation with a sorbent, said sorbent having the capacity of absorbing organic molecules, or a gas, whereby the solvent is transferred to the sorbent or the gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wastewater treatment is provided which can treat persistent surface active agents and coloring substances in wastewater, and which is compact and economical. The wastewater treatment method introduces water to be treated into a charcoal tank 3 packed with charcoal 10 and treats the water therein, the water to be treated having been pretreated in a pretreatment section 2. The water under treatment is introduced from the charcoal tank 3 into an activated carbon tower 6 packed with activated carbon 17 to treat the water therein. Treatment of the water in two stages, namely, treatment by bioactivated charcoal 10 and treatment by bioactivated carbon 17, makes it unnecessary to carry out backwashing of the activated carbon tower 6 and regeneration of activated carbon 17. The service life of the activated carbon can be greatly extended.

Abstract: A diffusive sampler comprises a housing with an opening and containing a sorbent, preferably having a barrier between the sorbent and the opening to prevent convection currents but still allowing the exchange of the analyte and the sorbate(s) by diffusion, and at least one sorbate carried by the sorbent. The sorbates will be desorbed when the sampler is exposed to the fluid to provide a check on the apparent duration of the exposure and a correction to the calculation of analyte concentration in the fluid that results from desorption and reverse diffusion. The barrier may be either a fluid-permeable matrix or a fluid gap with a thin, fluid-permeable membrane for blocking convection currents but otherwise admitting fluid and analyte.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting oil from water, particularly spillage water from gasoline stations and water that emanates from vehicle-washing plants. The method and apparatus utilize filters to which contaminated water from the vehicle-washing plant and other contaminated water is passed. The water is cleansed in one or more mutually sequential filters arranged in the flow direction of the water. The water is cleansed by first causing the water to flow through a collection filter in which oil and coarse particles are collected in a first cleansing stage. The water from the collection filter is passed through a fine filter adapted to lower the oil content of the water to a level below about 50 to 70 mg/l in a second cleansing stage. The water from the fine filter then flows through a membrane filter that is adapted to filter-off at least 75% of the oil remaining in the water during a third cleansing stage.

Abstract: In a water purification system for purifying raw water with a first d.c. voltage is applied between a conductive adsorber portion (20) and a primary electrode (27) in the raw water, a second d.c. voltage higher than the first d.c. voltage is applied in place of the first d.c. voltage at intervals between the adsorber portion and the primary electrode to accelerate generation of chlorine from the raw water. The primary electrode is opposite to the adsorber portion with a particular space left therebetween. It is preferable that the adsorber portion is provided with a supplementary electrode (29) which is opposite to the primary electrode so that the particular space is left therebetween.

Abstract: A method for reducing the toxicity, bioaccumulation and concentration of chemicals in surface water sediments and water using a retrievable organic carbon scavenger is disclosed. The scavenger is comprised of a porous polymeric material, optionally containing an adsorbent such as activated carbon, and may exist in the form of beads, sheets, fibers, netting or other similar forms. The material is placed in contact with the sediment, toxic compounds are absorbed from the sediment, and may be retrieved for regeneration or disposal.

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: 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: 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: A method and apparatus for collection and containment of hydrocarbons that may be spilled or leaked by equipment utilizing an internal combustion engine, transmission or fuel tank prevents pollution of the environment. Hydrocarbons accumulated in a spill collection apparatus are directed to a spill containment device where they are absorbed and solidified into a rubber-like mass. Solidification of hydrocarbons and retaining them within a hydrocarbon impermeable housing prevents them from contaminating the surface below the equipment and facilitates their handling for disposal.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a liquid in a reactor comprising a chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion, a liquid inlet located in the upper portion of the chamber, a liquid outlet located in the lower portion of the chamber and an absorbent bed within the chamber between the upper and lower portions thereof, said method comprising using as said absorbent bed a porous packing that is able to absorb by capillarity the liquid to be treated, said porous packing having a given capillarity height h.sub.s which is the height that the liquid to be treated reaches by capillarity action when it is fed in a column filled up with a continuous layer of said porous packing; mounting at least one horizontally extending separation member within the chamber so as to divide the absorbent bed into at least two superimposed layers of a given height that is equal to or lower than h.sub.

Abstract: Water purification is achieved by contacting the water with a container of charcoal, zeolite and a bimetallic alloy. In a preferred embodiment, the three components are segregated from each other and contained in a bag having three compartments.

Abstract: A novel process for selectively removing endotoxin from an aqueous solution containing bulk, iodinated, non-ionic contrast media and endotoxin by passing the solution through an activated carbon filter. The process can be economically practiced on a factory scale.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a system and process for removing contaminants from an oil and gas well bore stream. The system comprises a vessel adapted to receive the stream from the well bore. The system also contains a centrifuge separator for breaking the emulsion of the stream, the centrifuge separator having an input for receiving the output stream from the vessel. A media filter member, which is adapted to receive the stream from the output of the centrifuge separator is also included with the system. The system further contains a carbon adsorption means, adapted to receive the output stream from the media filter, for adsorption of contaminants contained within the output stream. Also included is a level controller switch for measuring the level within the various tanks and generating a signal once a predetermined height is reached.

Abstract: A portable liquid surface skimmer efficiently removes small spills of petroleum derivatives from the surface of water, and is useful, for example, on thin sheen spills of oil or gasoline, in boating marinas. The skimmer is controlled by a long handle held by an operator, with a swivel connection to the skimmer body. The skimmer body is placed in the water empty, to take on a controlled amount of water as ballast, putting the skimmer at a proper level to skim the surface using a floating weir. A withdrawal conduit from the skimmer's sump leads to a storage tank or more preferably to some form of separator on shore or on a dock, for further separation of water from the contaminants. In one preferred form of the system and method, the skimmed oil/water mix is passed through a special filter medium which removes the petroleum sufficiently that the water can be returned to its source, eliminating the need for hauling large volumes of liquid away to a disposal site.

Abstract: Filter devices for simultaneously removing leukocytes and viral inactivating agents from whole blood or blood fractions are disclosed. One type of device comprises (1) a housing surrounding (2) activated carbon and (3) a mechanically stable polymeric material which may optionally be modified to attach a ligand for leukocytes. General methods for removing leukocytes and viral inactivating agents from blood and plasma are also disclosed.

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 process for treating produced water for removal of a majority of the water-insoluble petroleum oil components using an oil-adsorbent, such as an organophilic clay or an acid-activated smectite clay, such as acid-activated calcium bentonite clay, to provide a reduced-oil produced water in a first or pretreatment step; and then treating the reduced-oil produced water with a macroreticular adsorbent resin, such as styrene cross-linked with divinylbenzene, or a polyvinyl pyridine resin to remove marginally water-soluble petroleum oil components, such as C.sub.6 + carboxylic acids, phenolics, naphthenic carboxylic acid compounds, and aromatic carboxylic acids, such as benzene carboxylic acids.

Abstract: A filter assembly for a flexible, portable bottle having a sealing cap including a filter attached to the interior of the cap to filter out substantially all INORGANICS, ORGANICS, RADIOLOGICAL CHEMICALS AND MICROBIOLIGY. The filter assembly also may include a second filter or Iodinator sealed in the flexible bottle to further remove micro-organisms from water passing therethrough. The filter assembly is designed so that the flexible bottle must be pressurized, as by being hand pressed, after it is filled with water to force flow of water through the either or both of the filters. The filter in the cap includes a check valve to allow the bottle to be repressurized after water has been dispensed from the bottle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removal of contaminants from fluid columns utilizes a solidifying polymer-based filtration media to extract pollutants, such as organic compounds and metals. Dissolved, emulsified or suspended contaminants are absorbed and solidified into an easily retrievable mass and retained within a replaceable filter container. Solidified contaminants may not leach when exposed to pressure limits currently used to determine landfill acceptability, may be incinerated as fuel for their BTU content or used as a component in the production of asphalt, roofing material or other tar-like compounds. Treated fluid columns exit the process containing acceptable levels of contaminants to permit free release into the environment.

Abstract: A composite adsorbent element comprising a packed mixture of granules and fibers, which are desirably granular activated carbon (GAC) and activated carbon fiber (ACF). The element is employed as a filter for purifying tap water. In the composite adsorbent element the activated carbon fibers fill the spaces between the activated carbon granules. The size and relative amounts of the GAC and ACF are designed to enable water treatment to remove impurities from water more rapidly than conventional filters using granular activated carbon.