Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods useful for the purification of water using dendritic macromolecules. The process involves using dendritic macromolecules (dendrimers) to bind to contaminants, and a filtration step to produce water from which contaminants have been removed or modified. Examples of dendrimers that may be used in the process include cation-binding dendrimers, anion-binding dendrimers, organic compound-binding dendrimers, redox-active dendrimers, biological compound-binding dendrimers, catalytic dendrimers, biocidal dendrimers, viral-binding dendrimers, multi-functional dendrimers, and combinations thereof. The process is readily scalable and provides many options for customization.

Abstract: Scaling is controlled in a cooling water system with CO2 based upon measurements of the cooling water's pH, alkalinity and Ca2+ concentration.

Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.

Abstract: To simply and accurately determine the concentration of a water treating agent in thermal equipment upon management of a supply amount of the water treating agent, a method of controlling a supply amount of a water treating agent according to the present invention includes the steps of: supplying a water treating agent containing a scale inhibitor selected from chelating agents to a water-supply system of thermal equipment; collecting a water sample from the thermal equipment; quantitatively determining the scale inhibitor in the collected water sample; and determining a concentration of the water treating agent in the thermal equipment on the basis of a quantitative value of the scale inhibitor.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting formation of hydrocarbon hydrates in mixtures of water and a hydrate-forming guest molecule has been discovered that involves adding a composition to the mixtures in an amount that is effective in inhibiting formation of the hydrocarbon hydrates under conditions otherwise effective to form the hydrocarbon hydrates in the absence of the reaction product. The composition includes at least one dendrimeric compound having a number average molecular weight of at least 1,000 atomic mass units (amu); and at least one small molecular weight species having less than 1,000 amu, selected from the group consisting of polyalkyleneimine, polyallylamine, starch, sugars, and polymers or copolymers of vinyl alcohol or allyl alcohol; and, optionally, at least one surfactant.

Abstract: A composition including an aqueous solution of calcium polysulfide and an amount of a precipitation preventing compound effective to reduce or eliminate precipitation of the calcium polysulfide at low concentrations. The precipitation preventing compound is selected from the group consisting of sodium hydrosulfide, potassium hydrosulfide, sodium sulfide, and potassium sulfide. A method of reducing or preventing precipitation of calcium polysulfide added to the water in an irrigation system by first injecting the precipitation preventing compound into the water in an amount effective to reduce or eliminate precipitation of the calcium polysulfide at low concentrations. Sodium methyldithiocarbamate can be added to the calcium polysulfide/precipitation preventing compound solution without any substantial precipitation.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the inhibition of scale deposits in a slurry or solution under acidic conditions. The current invention uses an aqueous synthetic mixture comprising a phosphate, phosphonate, anionic polymer, or combinations thereof in the slurry and/or solution to inhibit scale deposition from acidic process streams. The control of scale under acidic conditions is difficult because the acidic environment renders most known inhibitors ineffective. The claimed invention causes a significant decrease in the scale generated allowing for reduced down time of systems for de-scaling procedures and thus increasing production.

Abstract: A biofilm reducing agent (BRA) and a mineral deposit distorting agent (MDDA) are admixed to irrigation water in amounts sufficient to substantially eliminate biofilm formation in the emitters (14) of an irrigation system (10) and produce amorphous mineral deposits in the emitters that are easily washed away by the irrigation water as it flows through the emitters (14). The BRA may be an oxidizer selected from the group consisting of chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxy peracitic acid, iodine, bromine, hydrogen dioxide, chlorate salts, chlorite salts and hypochlorite compounds and mixtures thereof. The MDDA is a phosphonate selected from the group comprising AMP, ATMP, HEDP, EDTMPA, HMDTMPA, DETPMPA, BHMPTMPA, PBTC, HPA, PCA, NTMP, and DTPMP.

Abstract: A treatment assembly is positioned along an AV-fistula and couples therapeutic energy to an adjacent area due to a material response to an applied energy field from a remotely located energy source. The treatment assembly may be delivered into the fistula through a hemodialysis needle, or may be secured to the fistula graft itself and implanted therewith within a patient. A cover provides a shield between an anastomosis area and blood flow. Another AV-fistula includes a valved reservoir that receives a fluid agent from a hemodialysis needle while moving the needle into or from the fistula; the agent leaks from the reservoir into the fistula lumen. Another valved fistula is adjustable between an open condition and closed conditions during and between hemodialysis treatments, respectively. Another AV-fistula has a bladder reservoir coupled to a second refillable fluid reservoir and is adapted to locally deliver a therapeutic agent into the fistula lumen.

Abstract: A method and composition are provided for the operation of an evaporative cooling tower with minimal, or no, blowdown. In some embodiments, the method involves using sodium cation-exchanged softened water as makeup water for the cooling tower, providing a bypass filter for suspended solids removal from the cooling water, treating the cooling water with a composition for control of corrosion and deposition, and using an effective biocide for control of biological growth within the cooling tower system. In some embodiments, a composition is provided that comprises AMPS acrylic terpolymer, sodium silicate, phosphate ions, and polyphosphate ions. When dosed at the recommended levels, the composition controls corrosion of cooling system materials to generally acceptable levels in spite of the extremely corrosive environment resulting from the cycling of sodium cation-exchanged softened water in the cooling tower.

Abstract: A chemical treatment system that injects one or more dosage chemical solutions into a process. Conditions of the process are sensed by sensors, communicated to a chemical treatment management system. The chemical treatment management system processes the process conditions and issues command signals to one or more chemical storage systems to provide a dosage of chemical to the process. The chemical storage systems each comprise a chemical storage tank, a level sensor for the tank, a controller and a pump. The controller uses the command signals for varying in real time the dosage of the chemical solution by varying the pump operation. The chemical treatment management system also uses additional data from the chemical storage systems, such as tank level, and from other sources to provide the command signals and alerts/alarms and other user information.

Abstract: A process for treating a waste material coming from aluminum production, the waste material containing contaminants polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and inorganic fluoride compounds containing fluoride ions, involves flotation of a waste mixture of the waste material in the presence of a surfactant capable of producing PAH-rich micelles that are floated to produce froth containing the PAH-rich micelles; and stabilization of the waste mixture by adding a fluoride ion stabilizer to form stabilized fluoride compounds with reduced solubility in the waste mixture and in a toxicity characteristics leaching procedure test, to produce decontaminated solids containing the stabilized fluoride compounds and a leachate solution.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting corrosion in aqueous evaporative systems where soluble silica (SiO2) is maintained at residuals between 10 Mg/L and saturation, but more preferably maintained at greater than 300 mg/L as SiO2, to provide corrosion inhibiting silica films that protect system metals. Silica is provided by evaporation of water and subsequent concentration and transformation of silica naturally contained in source water. The methods of the present invention provide highly effective inhibition of corrosion for mild steel, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, galvanized steel and various alloys of such metals. The methods of the present invention comprise pretreatment removal of polyvalent metal ions from the makeup source water, maintenance of concentration of monovalent metal ions, and controlling pH at a minimum of 7.0 in the presence of an elevated temperature aqueous environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of inhibiting and/or removing deposits from internal surfaces in a hot water system. The method includes controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to alter the dynamic between deposit constituents and the bulk water of the system to inhibit deposition or initiate deposit removal. The method is equally effective for a system undergoing a wet layup sequence or in an online operational system. The invention further includes a multi-component deposit inhibition and/or removal device, including a receiver, a processor, and a transmitter that work in unison to alter the system dynamics to inhibit or remove deposits.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system undergoing a wet layup sequence to inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes separating the wet layup sequence into a plurality of phases. Each phase is either short-term or long-term and a subset of the short-term phases is optionally transitional. The method further includes defining one or more zones in the hot water system. At least one of the defined zones is selected for each phase and one or more of the selected zones include at least one ORP probe operable to measure the real-time ORP and communicate with a controller. The ORP probe(s) either intermittently or continuously measure the real-time ORP at operating temperature and pressure at one or more of the selected zones in one or more of the phases and transmit the measured real-time ORP to the controller. The real-time ORP is assessed to determine whether it conforms to an ORP setting for that phase.

Abstract: An automatic, self-regulating method of water treatment for use in water circulating towers in which water is evaporated, and make up water is added, with components which synergistically function to cut chemical, energy, water, corrosion, pollution, and maintenance costs, by passing the water through a Water Conditioning unit to prevent adhering evaporation scale deposits along with their content of concentrated biofouling nutrients from forming on the flooded surfaces of the tower and its associated water flow circuit, adding a trace level of iodine to the input make-up water to enhance the further disinfection of nutrient-deprived surfaces from any residual biofllm and chance pathogen contaminations, and adding a trace level addition of zinc ions in the water such as by an assured treatment feeder to the input make-up flow for inhibiting residual iodine-resistant algal and bacterial organisms of hazard for restoring bionutrient tower conditions, such as within sun-lit environments, and apparatus for carryi

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in a hot water system to inhibit corrosion in the hot water system. The method includes defining one or more operational protective zones in the hot water system. One or more of the operational protective zones includes an oxidation-reduction potential probe that is operable to measure a real-time oxidation-reduction potential in the hot water system at operating temperature and pressure. The probe transmits the measured real-time potential to the controller, which assesses and interprets the transmitted potential to determine whether it conforms to an oxidation-reduction potential setting. If the measured potential does not conform the oxidation-reduction potential setting, the controller is operable to feed one or more active chemical species into the hot water system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid filter comprising a magnetic substrate configured to allow passage of fluid therethrough, with the substrate manufactured from sintered powdered metal. Preferably, the filter has a porosity of at least 10%, and a magnetic flux density of at least 5 gauss. The substrate may include iron, aluminum, barium, cerium, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, oxygen, praseodymium, platinum, samarium, and/or strontium. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a fluid filter by sintering powdered metal to form a magnetic substrate configured to allow passage of fluid therethrough. The method may further include shaping the magnetic substrate for use within a desired application.

Abstract: Method and means for obtaining thrombocyte-rich plasma (platelet-rich plasma, PRP) from whole blood which specifically has a high content of specifically activated thrombocytes and which is particularly easy to coagulate.

Abstract: A method for treating feedwater is provided. The method includes steps of introducing a treatment composition into a feedwater stream to provide a treated feedwater stream containing scale inhibitor at a concentration of at least about 0.1 ppm, and combining the treated feedwater stream with a detersive composition. The scale inhibitor can include a phosphate scale inhibitor, a carbonate scale inhibitor, or a combination of a phosphate scale inhibitor and a carbonate scale inhibitor. The detersive composition can be provided as a cleaning composition, a rinse agent composition, or a drying agent composition. A treatment composition and an apparatus for treating feedwater are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming a solid-fibrin web. The apparatus includes a centrifuge (600) having a housing (604), and actuator (648), a wheel (660), and a flange (664). The housing includes a recessed area (616) and a base (608) supportable on a surface. The wheel is coupled to the actuator and extends into the recessed area and is adapted to contact a first end of a container (620). The flange extends into the recessed area opposite the wheel and defines an adjustable distance between the wheel and the flange. The flange is adapted to contact a second end of the container and the actuator is operable to rotate the container. The container is oriented substantially parallel with respect to the base.

Abstract: Several products and processes for preventing the occurrence of rust stains resulting from irrigation systems using water having iron ions, such as well water, and for cleaning off rust stains resulting from the use of said irrigation systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, ammonium sulfate is mixed with well water and then this mixture is mixed with incoming well water being sprayed on the surfaces. In another embodiment, ammonium bisulfate is used for the removal of rust stains. Then ammonium sulfate is mixed with the incoming well water being sprayed in the next cycle, to prevent rust formation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating hydrocarbon fluids to inhibit the deposition of paraffin compounds on the interior of pipes and other surfaces. The method includes injecting a catalyst fluid containing scale forming compounds into the hydrocarbon fluid. The scale forming compounds may be calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, calcium, bicarbonate barium sulfate, or other compounds/ingredients. The catalyst fluid may be an aqueous or non-aqueous solution. The method further includes inducing an electromagnetic field in the fluid so as to cause the formation of seed crystals from the scale forming compounds. The paraffin will then adhere to the seed crystals, i.e., scale particles. The resulting particles can then be filtered out or otherwise removed from the solution. Paraffin deposition on the interior of pipes and other surfaces is therefore inhibited. Also disclosed herein are hydrocarbon wells and other piping systems constructed to take advantage of the described techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a procedure for elimination of boron from sea-water by reverse osmosis membranes characterised in that it comprises: adding to sea-water a composition consisting of at least one metal together with at least one antiscaling-dispersant agent, and a second phase in which an alkalinising agent is added until a pH of between 8-9.5 is achieved, which can furthermore consist of a third phase in which the fluoride content of the sea-water is increased following the second phase, or a third phase in which a high molecular weight alcohol is added to the water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for reducing scale formation and/or corrosion in systems which conduct liquids or are in contact with liquids. According to the invention, this is achieved without reducing the quantity of hardness constituents contained in the liquid overall, without exchanging the hardness constituents in the liquid for other cations such as e.g. hydronium, sodium or potassium and without adding chemicals such as e.g. phosphates which inhibit scale formation to the liquid. Instead, scale formation is reduced by specifically shifting the molar distribution of the hardness constituents, especially the distribution proportions of the individual hardness constituents magnesium and calcium strontium and barium.

Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.

Abstract: Methods to control manganese deposition in an aqueous system, which include introducing a cerium-containing composition, and optionally another deposit control agent, to the aqueous system, are described. Also described, are cerium-containing compositions that promote the manganese stabilization performance of polymeric dispersants and phosphonic acids commonly used in water treatment applications. Cerium-containing compositions that can inhibit the oxidative degradation of deposit control agents are also described.

Abstract: A method for treating hard water comprising the steps of flowing water containing suspended colloidal mineral particles through a confined treatment zone, applying an electrical potential across the flowing water to cause electrical current to flow through the water, increasing the zeta potential of the suspended colloidal particles. The increased zeta potential causes the particles to repel each other, preventing aggregation and precipitation onto surfaces in contact with the water to form scale or create hard pan conditions in soil on which the water falls.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preventive treatment of corrosion, oxidation and/or depositions in domestic supply water distribution circuits, comprising steps which consist in: a diagnosis including an analysis of the state of corrosion, oxidation, depositions of the domestic supply water distribution circuit and an analysis of chemical elements of the water flowing in said circuit by sampling water flowing in said circuit; and preventive treatment of corrosion, oxidation and/or depositions of the domestic supply water distribution circuit by operating a treatment unit (3) measuring the flow rate of water entering the domestic supply water distribution circuit (2), and injecting a treatment product comprising silicates in an amount substantially proportional to the volume of water entering the domestic supply water distribution circuit, but not exceeding the feeding standards and adjusted on the basis of the result of the analysis of chemical elements of the water flowing in said circuit.

Abstract: A methods of the present invention for inhibiting silica scale formation and corrosion in aqueous systems where soluble silica residuals (SiO2) are maintained in excess of 200 mg/L, and source water silica deposition is inhibited with silica accumulations as high as 4000 mg/L (cycled accumulation) from evaporation and concentration of source water. The methods of the present invention also provides inhibition of corrosion for carbon steel at corrosion rates of less than 0.3 mpy (mils per year), and less than 0.1 mpy for copper, copper alloy, and stainless steel alloys in highly concentrated (high dissolved solids) waters. The methods of the present invention comprise pretreatment removal of hardness ions from the makeup source water, maintenance of electrical conductivity, and elevating the pH level of the aqueous environment. Thereafter, specified water chemistry residual ranges are maintained in the aqueous system to achieve inhibition of scale and corrosion.

Abstract: The invention provides a device containing an ion-exchange resin to which is chemically bound a fuel additive material which will gradually be released from the resin into a fuel in which the device is placed.

Abstract: A methods for inhibiting silica scale formation and corrosion in aqueous systems where soluble silica (SiO2) can be maintained at residuals below 200 mg/L, but more preferably maintained at greater than 200 mg/L as SiO2, without silica scale and with control of deposition of source water silica accumulations as high as 4000 mg/L (cycled accumulation) from evaporation and concentration of source water. The methods of the present invention also provide highly effective inhibition of corrosion for carbon steel, copper, copper alloy, and stainless steel alloys. The methods of the present invention comprise pretreatment removal of hardness ions from the makeup source water, maintenance of electrical conductivity, and elevating the pH level of the aqueous environment. Thereafter, specified water chemistry residual ranges are maintained in the aqueous system to achieve inhibition of scale and corrosion.

Abstract: A method for membrane filtration of effluent water containing suspended matter reduces membrane clogging and improves filtration capacity of the membrane. The method includes adding a dose of a preselected coagulation reactant to the effluent before the effluent passes over the membrane. The added dose is a fraction of the coagulating reactant dose (X) that would render the zeta potential of the effluent equal to zero. The range of the added dose is X/30-X/80. The suspended matter in the effluent is subjected to the added dose of coagulation reactant for destabilizing the suspended matter.

Abstract: New and in-use fire sprinkler systems can be sterilized by employing antimicrobial gases. The gases include steam, oxygen, and chlorine. Water added to the system after sterilization can be sterilized to prevent the reoccurrence of microbiological contamination.

Abstract: A methods for inhibiting silica scale formation and corrosion in aqueous systems where soluble silica (SiO2) can be maintained at residuals below 200 mg/L, but more preferably maintained at greater than 200 mg/L as SiO2, without silica scale and with control of deposition of source water silica accumulations as high as 4000 mg/L (cycled accumulation) from evaporation and concentration of source water. The methods of the present invention also provide highly effective inhibition of corrosion for carbon steel, copper, copper alloy, and stainless steel alloys. The methods of the present invention comprise pretreatment removal of hardness ions from the makeup source water, maintenance of electrical conductivity, and elevating the pH level of the aqueous environment. Thereafter, specified water chemistry residual ranges are maintained in the aqueous system to achieve inhibition of scale and corrosion.

Abstract: A methods of the present invention for inhibiting silica scale formation and corrosion in aqueous systems where soluble silica residuals (SiO2) are maintained in excess of 200 mg/L, and source water silica deposition is inhibited with silica accumulations as high as 4000 mg/L (cycled accumulation) from evaporation and concentration of source water. The methods of the present invention also provides inhibition of corrosion for carbon steel at corrosion rates of less than 0.3 mpy (mils per year), and less than 0.1 mpy for copper, copper alloy, and stainless steel alloys in highly concentrated (high dissolved solids) waters. The methods of the present invention comprise pretreatment removal of hardness ions from the makeup source water, maintenance of electrical conductivity, and elevating the pH level of the aqueous environment. Thereafter, specified water chemistry residual ranges are maintained in the aqueous system to achieve inhibition of scale and corrosion.

Abstract: A composition for reducing deposition of a mineral salt from an aqueous supersaturated solution onto a solid surface in contact with the aqueous supersaturated solution which composition comprises a dispersion of either (i) seed crystals of the mineral salt in an aqueous solution of the mineral salt or (ii) seed crystals of a salt isomorphous with the mineral salt in an aqueous solution of the isomorphous salt wherein the dispersed seed crystals are of Mean particle size of less than 2.5 microns.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and/or controlling membrane separation systems or processes are provided. The present invention utilizes measurable amounts of inert fluorescent tracers and tagged fluorescent agents added to a feed stream to evaluate and/or control one or more parameters specific to membrane separation such that performance thereof can be optimized. The methods and systems of the present invention can be utilized in a variety of different industrial applications including raw water processing and waste water processing.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for preventing scaling of ultrafiltration or nanofiltration membranes in a one-step membrane process of separating an organic compound or a biomass and a soluble inorganic salt from an aqueous feed mixture, which mixture further comprises one or more inorganic compounds, that cause scaling, such as calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, calcium sulfite, magnesium sulfate, calcium oxalate and silica, by using an ultrafiltration or nanofiltration membrane, characterized in that the feed mixture is diluted with an amount of water which is at least equal to the amount of water that is removed by the membrane from the feed mixture minus the amount of water that can be removed without precipitation of the inorganic compounds in the feed mixture.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preventive treatment of corrosion, oxidation and/or depositions in domestic supply water distribution circuits, comprising steps which consist in: a diagnosis including an analysis of the state of corrosion, oxidation, depositions of the domestic supply water distribution circuit and an analysis of chemical elements of the water flowing in said circuit by sampling water flowing in said circuit; and preventive treatment of corrosion, oxidation and/or depositions of the domestic supply water distribution circuit by operating a treatment unit (3) measuring the flow rate of water entering the domestic supply water distribution circuit (2), and injecting a treatment product comprising silicates in an amount substantially proportional to the volume of water entering the domestic supply water distribution circuit, but not exceeding the feeding standards and adjusted on the basis of the result of the analysis of chemical elements of the water flowing in said circuit.

Abstract: Crystalline magnesium silicates are synthesized from silica-containing brines, preferably spent geothermal brines, by mixing the brine with a magnesium-containing compound, adjusting the pH of the resultant mixture between 8.0 and 14, and crystallizing the magnesium silicate from the mixture at a temperature between 50° C. and 200° C. Kerolite is preferably synthesized from brine by adjusting the pH in a range between 9.5 and 10.5 and heating the mixture to between 100° C. and 170° C. to precipitate the crystalline kerolite. The brine remaining after the crystallization step is depleted in silica and can be further processed without significant problems caused by silica scaling.

Abstract: A process for the partial purification of contaminated phosphoric acid plant pond water is described, in which the pond water is treated sequentially, with two basic compounds, clarified, aged, clarified again and re-acidified. The thus treated pond water, still containing the majority of the phosphate originally present, can then be concentrated via the removal of essentially pure water, using any conventional means of concentration, without the formation of solid precipitates.

Abstract: A simplified process for the partial purification of contaminated phosphoric acid plant pond water having a molar calcium plus magnesium to fluorine ratio greater than or equal to about 0.60, is described, in which the pond water is treated with a basic compound, clarified, aged, clarified again and re-acidified. The thus treated pond water, still containing the majority of the phosphate originally present, can then be concentrated via the removal of essentially pure water, using any conventional means of concentration, without the formation of solid precipitates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for water softening utilising magnetic pulses is provided. The magnetic pulses are presented to a volume of water within a water conduit 6 or water container over a predetermined time period with a relaxation time period between successive predetermined time periods of action upon the volume of water. The magnetic pulses are in the range 1.6 to 6.8 KHz and generally presented in a manner whereby the frequency is ramped in discrete frequency shifts over fixed time periods through the predetermined time period in order to facilitate greater water softening action. Normally, each frequency harmonic is initiated by an initiation spike of enhanced magnetic strength.

Abstract: A method of decreasing the viscosity of a mineral ore slurry is disclosed. The method comprises adding to a mineral ore slurry a viscosity modifying treatment such as copolymers of maleic anhydride and diisobutylene; copolymers of acrylic acid and allyl hydroxypropyl sulfonate ether, terpolymers of acrylic acid and 2-acrylamide-2-methypropane sulphonic acid salt and t-butyl acrylamide; copolymers of acrylic acid and polyethyleneglycol monoallyl ether sulfate; and copolymers of acrylic acid and 2-acrylamide-2-methypropane sulphonic acid salt; pentaphosphonates; polymethacrylates; and mixtures thereof to the mineral ore slurry.

Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.

Abstract: A device utilizing a catalytic alloy, preferably the Walker Alloy, in a basket filter configuration and the concept of a filter basket and insert to increase turbulence in a fluid to increase the contact efficiency between the fluid and alloy. The method of running produced fluids over the alloy to reduce or eliminate paraffin buildup and corrosion in hydrocarbon piping and the method of running process water in re-circulation systems to reduce scale and corrosion. The method of using the alloy in salt-water injection wells and similar injection wells to reduce buildup is discussed. A series of alternate embodiments for the fundamental filter device is discussed.

Abstract: Methods of treating a high salinity liquid, such as seawater, containing boron are provided, including adjusting the pH of the liquid to about 8 to about 9.5, optionally adding a scale inhibitor to the liquid, passing the liquid through a reverse osmosis device, and recovering a permeate having a boron concentration less than about 2 ppm. One embodiment includes removing colloidal matter from the liquid using a membrane filtration system, such as ultrafiltration or microfiltration, prior to passing the liquid through the reverse osmosis device, and preferably prior to adjusting the pH of the liquid.

Abstract: A process for treating cooling tower water in a system which includes a recirculated evaporative cooling water stream and a source of make-up water. A side stream is taken off of the source of make-up water and the side stream is directed to either a strong acid cation exchange resin unit and/or to a weak acid cation exchange resin unit, after which it is returned to the make-up water line. The pH of saturation is determined for the recirculated evaporative cooling water as is the pH. Depending upon the difference between the pH and the pH of saturation, the side stream of the make-up water is opened or closed and directed to one or both of the cation exchange units.

Abstract: A method of treating a high salinity liquid, such as seawater, containing boron is provided. The method includes adjusting the pH of the liquid to about 8.5 to about 9.5, optionally adding a scale inhibitor to the liquid, passing the liquid through a reverse osmosis device, and recovering a permeate having a boron concentration less than about 1 ppm.