Abstract: Systems, compositions, and methods for dewatering and/or increasing a mechanical strength of mine tailings. These systems, compositions, and methods may include combining mine tailings with wicking fibers to form a composite mine tailings mixture. The wicking fibers may provide a conduit for the removal of fluid from the composite mine tailings mixture. The composite mine tailings mixture further may include a binder that may decrease repulsive forces among fine particles that comprise the mine tailings and/or increase attractive forces among the fine particles, leading to a separation of the fine particles from at least a portion of the fluid contained within the composite mine tailings mixture. The composite mine tailings mixture may be placed in a storage or dewatering area as a composite mine tailings mixture deposit, which may include internal structure, such as layers of the composite mine tailings mixture and/or long-range orientation of the wicking fibers contained therein.

Abstract: A method of dewatering algae and recycling water therefrom is presented. A method of dewatering a wet algal cell culture includes removing liquid from an algal cell culture to obtain a wet algal biomass having a lower liquid content than the algal cell culture. At least a portion of the liquid removed from the algal cell culture is recycled for use in a different algal cell culture. The method includes adding a water miscible solvent set to the wet algal biomass and waiting an amount of time to permit algal cells of the algal biomass to gather and isolating at least a portion of the gathered algal cells from at least a portion of the solvent set and liquid of the wet algal biomass so that a dewatered algal biomass is generated. The dewatered algal biomass can be used to generated algal products such as biofuels and nutraceuticals.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating selenium-containing wastewater, in which wastewater containing hexavalent selenium is subjected to reduction treatment, selenium can be effectively removed at a small amount of metal leached, and, preferably, sludge produced during treatment is white, thereby facilitating the disposal of the sludge. The selenium-containing wastewater is brought into contact with an alloy or a mixture of metallic titanium and a first metal other than metallic titanium to partially leach the first metal, thereby subjecting selenium in the wastewater to reduction treatment.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process for removing phosphorus-containing colloids and their precursors from an iron chloride solution comprising: (a) heating the iron chloride solution comprising impurities selected from the group consisting of phosphorus-containing colloid, phosphorus-containing colloid precursor, and mixtures thereof, at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 300° C., at least autogenous pressure and for a period of time sufficient to transform the impurities into a filterable solid; and (b) separating the solid from the iron chloride solution. In one embodiment, the iron chloride solution is a byproduct of the chloride process for making titanium dioxide.

Abstract: A method of dewatering algae and recycling water therefrom is presented. A method of dewatering a wet algal cell culture includes removing liquid from an algal cell culture to obtain a wet algal biomass having a lower liquid content than the algal cell culture. At least a portion of the liquid removed from the algal cell culture is recycled for use in a different algal cell culture. The method includes adding a water miscible solvent set to the wet algal biomass and waiting an amount of time to permit algal cells of the algal biomass to gather and isolating at least a portion of the gathered algal cells from at least a portion of the solvent set and liquid of the wet algal biomass so that a dewatered algal biomass is generated. The dewatered algal biomass can be used to generated algal products such as biofuels and nutraceuticals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treating water and wastewater include the step of flowing a suspended solids stream generally upward through a sludge blanket region of a cloth disk filter vessel, thus forming a partially treated effluent composition and a solids-enriched sludge blanket. The partially treated effluent composition is allowed to flow generally upward to a cloth filter zone in the vessel after contacting the sludge blanket. The methods include flowing the suspended solids stream through one or more distribution headers positioned in the sludge blanket. An option is to provide a sludge concentration zone in the sludge blanket region, allowing sludge to flow into the sludge concentration zone to form concentrated sludge. Other methods and apparatus include backwash assemblies that backwash substantially the entire filter cassette surfaces, with or without use of a sludge blanket zone. Either the backwash assemblies or filter cassettes move in the latter methods and apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making pure salt comprises recapturing post-drilling flowback water from hydro-fracturing; removing oil from the flowback water; filtering the flowback water using an ultra filter with a pore size of about 0.1 microns or less to remove solid particulates and large organic molecules, such as benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene, from the water; concentrating the flowback water to produce a brine that contains from about 15 wt % to about 40 wt % of salt relative to the total weight of the flowback brine; performing one or more chemical precipitation process using an effective amount of reagents to precipitate out the desired high quality commercial products, such as, barium sulfate, strontium carbonate, calcium carbonate; and crystallizing the chemically treated and concentrated flowback brine to produce greater than 99.5% pure salt products, such as sodium and calcium chloride.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide a method for recovering phosphate, comprising: obtaining an effluent or wastewater, etc. having calcium-sequestered phosphate; adding to the effluent or wastewater a calcium chelating or sequestration agent suitable to chelate or sequester Ca++ ions from the calcium-sequestered phosphate to facilitate release of phosphate from the calcium-sequestered phosphate; transferring, facilitated by said Ca++ ion capture and in the presence of sufficient concentrations of NH4+ and Mg2 ions, of the phosphate into struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate hexahydrate or MgNH4PO4.6H2O), or hydrated magnesium ammonium complex of phosphate; and recovering the struvite, or the formed hydrated magnesium ammonium complex. Preferably, the method further comprises acidification of the effluent or wastewater to facilitate release of Ca++ ions from the calcium-sequestered phosphate and chelation of sequestration of the Ca++ ions by the calcium chelating or sequestration agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to devices and processes for removing asphaltenes and/or metals from crude oil to increase refinery processing of heavy materials. The desalters of this invention reduce and/or remove at least a portion of asphaltenes and/or metals form the crude oil. The separation occurs by mixing water with the crude oil to result in an aqueous phase having water and water soluble salts, an interface phase having asphaltenes and/or metals along with water, and a hydrocarbon phase having desalted, deasphalted and/or reduced metal crude oil.

Abstract: A process for producing a purified nickel hydroxide precipitate from a nickel-containing leach solution with impurities including one or more of the following: manganese, copper, zinc, iron and/or cobalt, so that the purified nickel hydroxide is suitable for pelletization with iron-containing ores and/or stainless steel production, includes treating the leach solution with a base to form a slurry of mixed hydroxide precipitate and low-nickel barren solution, thickening the slurry to form filter cake, washing the filter cake and contacting it with acid to dissolve nickel and other metals to produce a concentrated nickel-containing solution, subjecting the concentrated nickel-containing solution to solvent extraction with an organic acid extractant to remove metals other than nickel from the nickel-containing solution and form a solvent extraction raffinate of purified nickel solution and treating the solvent extraction raffinate with a base to precipitate the purified nickel hydroxide precipitate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved cake-filtration solid-liquid separation process wherein the improvement comprises simultaneously subjecting the solid-liquid mixture to a homogeneous magnetic field, a magnetic field gradient or both and cake-filtration to accomplish separation.

Abstract: A method of reducing or preventing the amount of iron sludge or precipitate that forms as a result of the recovery of silver from chemical solutions, such as a standard photographic solution. The method generally involves the introduction of a source of a conjugate organic base, such as a weak organic acid like citric acid or a salt of the conjugate organic base like a citrate salt, to the chemical fluid either before or during the silver recovery process. Preferably the source of conjugate organic base is introduced by combining it with a binder to form a time release cake or placing it in a container that has a semipermeable membrane that maintains the concentration of the conjugate organic base in the chemical fluid from about 0.2 to about 78 milimolar over a period of time.

Abstract: A reaction tank useful for precipitating struvite from aqueous solutions such as wastewater comprises an aeration system. The aeration system includes air diffusers in the reaction tank. The air diffusers are located at a level below an outlet of the reaction tank. The airflow control mechanism comprises means for automatically controlling the flow of the stripping gas from the diffusers. The airflow control mechanism may be configured to automatically control the flow of stripping gas in response to a signal from a sensor measuring the pH of the aqueous solution the alkalinity of the aqueous solution or the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the aqueous solution.

Abstract: Provided is a process for efficiently removing an azole-type anticorrosive for copper from water containing the azole-type anticorrosive for copper, such as wastewater discharged from a CMP step in a fabrication process of a semiconductor device. Ferrous ions are added to water containing an azole-type anticorrosive for copper, and a resulting insoluble iron-azole complex is separated. After the insoluble iron-azole complex is separated, the remaining TOC components are subjected to ozonolysis. The azole-type anticorrosive for copper can be efficiently insolubilized in the form of an iron-azole complex using ferrous ions, and flocculation/solid-liquid separation can be performed. The water after removal of the insoluble matter formed by the addition of ferrous ions is water from which not only the azole-type anticorrosive for copper but also suspended solids have been removed.

Abstract: Novel macromolecules for filtering contaminants from water and non-aqueous solutions. Molecules such as polyethyleneimine (PEI) may be functionalized, cross-linked, and/or quaternized to improve their binding capacity or selectivity with particular water contaminants such as bromide, nitrate, and sulfate. The macromolecules may be either recyclable or non-recyclable, and may be recovered or separated from water using means such as ultrafiltration, flocculation, or immobilization on a substrate.

Abstract: Toxic substances such as heavy metals are extracted from a medium using a sorbent composition. The sorbent composition is derived by sulfidation of red mud, which contains hydrated ferric oxides derived from the Bayer processing of bauxite ores. Exemplary sulfidizing compounds are H2S, Na2S, K2S, (NH4)2S, and CaSx. The sulfur content typically is from about 0.2 to about 10% above the residual sulfur in the red mud. Sulfidized red mud is an improved sorbent compared to red mud for most of the heavy metals tested (Hg, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, Th, and U). Unlike red mud, sulfidized red mud does not leach naturally contained metals. Sulfidized red mud also prevents leaching of metals when mixed with red mud. Mixtures of sulfidized red mud and red mud are more effective for sorbing other ions, such as As, Co, Mn, and Sr, than sulfidized red mud alone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the removal of one or more selected target materials, in particular a physiologically active compound contaminant, from various streams using a rare earth fixing agent.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for carrying out continuous or batch centrifugation solid-liquid separation processes in which the solid-liquid mixture is subjected to magnetic field gradients and centrifugation.

Abstract: A method for reclamation of a brine that includes mixing a brine containing thiocyanates with an oxidizing agent; and allowing for a time sufficient for the oxidizing agent to oxidize at least a portion of the thiocyanates is disclosed. Other methods may also include determining the quantity of unoxidized thiocyanates after the oxidizing treatment.

Abstract: A method of dewatering a solids laden waste stream, whereby the slurry is pumped into a vertical filter retaining structure and the liquid is allowed to flow out through the pores of the filtration element while retaining the solids within the structure. After the solids have dewatered, doors or gates located at the bottom of the structure are opened and the solids drop out the bottom by gravity. The structure is elevated to allow a transport vehicle to be placed under the doors prior to dropping out the solids. One embodiment utilizes an open bottom, closed top filter bag that is closed off by the doors or sliding gates located at the bottom of the structure. Another embodiment disclosed would use rigid filter plates to retain the solids and drop out the accumulated solids by opening sliding gates at the bottom of the structure. The filter bag or plates is accessible from the side to allow either manual or automatic pressure washing of the filtration elements or filter bag after each dewatering cycle.

Abstract: Metal oxide particles heated while immersed in water in a closed container are combined with membrane filtration to remove contaminants from water. The use of the heated particles reduces fouling of the membrane typically encountered when membranes alone are used to remove contaminants from water.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatuses for removing selenium from water. Sulfate and organics are first removed to discourage such materials from overwhelming subsequent processing of water to remove selenium.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to processes for recovery of values from a fermentation mass obtained in producing ethanol. Further, the present invention relates to processes for the recovery of values from an inorganic- and lignin-containing mass. The present invention also relates to processes for the recovery of a fraction having enhanced silica content from a silica-containing mass. Still further, the present invention relates to processes for the recovery of crude ethanol from a fermentation mass. The present invention relates to various lignin-containing products and solutions and mineral-rich products.

Abstract: A fluid clarification system and method is described in which fluid is passed through one or more settling compartments, each having a solids outlet at the base of the compartment. The base of each compartment includes inclined surfaces for guiding settled solids to the outlet. Also described is a polymer reaction trough including baffles to promote gentle mixing of inflow fluid with flocculant. The system is designed to reduce costs of transportation, flocculant, and solids handling. The system is preferably arranged to facilitate transport on a skid or trailer, while maximizing fluid handling capabilities and minimizing costs.

Abstract: Some mineral processing plants encounter difficulties in dewatering pulps using clarifier/thickener (C/T) equipment due to a layer of fine particles, air bubbles and chemicals formed at the top of the liquid in the thickener. Such layers are very stable and form a cap on the C/T. The dewatering performance of the C/T then deteriorates under these conditions, and a high percentage of solids is contained in the thickener overflow. A process for removing water from rock slurry containing a wide range of particle sizes in mineral processing operations has been developed. The process includes: (a) classifying the feed slurry into two size fractions, namely a coarse fraction and a fine fraction, (b) treating the fine fraction (and the coarse fraction if required) with a selected flocculant, and (3) thickening the flocculated slurry in sedimentation equipment to separate liquid from solids.

Abstract: Hydrophobically modified Si-containing polyamines are useful for treating scale in industrial process streams. Preferred hydrophobically modified Si-containing polyamines are particularly useful for treating aluminosilicate scale in difficult-to-treat industrial process streams, such as in the Bayer alumina process streams, nuclear waste streams and kraft paper mill effluent streams.

Abstract: Ligand functionalized substrates, methods of making ligand functionalized substrates, and methods of using functionalized substrates are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for purifying a lipid composition having predominantly neutral lipid components having at least one long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid is disclosed. The process employs contacting the lipid composition with a polar solvent, such as acetone, wherein the solvent is selected such that contaminants are less soluble in the solvent than is the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. The process is typically conducted at cooler temperatures, including about 0° C. Upon precipitation of the contaminants from the lipid composition, a separation is conducted to remove the precipitated material from the lipid composition. The long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids can include ARA, DPA, EPA, and/or DHA. The process of the present invention effectively winterizes lipid compositions, thereby reducing the tendency of such compositions to become hazy.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous or batch centrifugation solid-liquid separation process comprising simultaneously subjecting the solid-liquid mixture to localized magnetic field gradients and the centrifugation and to improved centrifugation solid-liquid separation processes wherein the improvement comprises simultaneously subjecting the solid-liquid mixture to a homogeneous magnetic field, a magnetic field gradient or both prior to and/or during the centrifugation.

Abstract: The present invention provides electrocoagulation devices and methods for using the same to treat water to remove at least a portion of suspended, dissolved solids, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer from a biomass containing the polymer, includes contacting the biomass with a solvent system, the solvent system including a solvent for the polymer and a precipitant for the polymer, to provide a residual biomass and a solution that includes the polymer, the solvent for the polymer and the precipitant for the polymer; and applying a centrifugal force to the solution and residual biomass to separate at least some of the solution from the residual biomass; where, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate; the precipitant comprises at least one alkane; the solvent for the polymer is selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and alcohols and combinations thereof; and the biomass comprises a slurry of the biomass and water.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical process for the purification of water containing soluble and sparingly soluble inorganic compounds using single-stage or two-stage membrane processes that integrate membrane water purification with chemical precipitation softening and residual hardness and silica removal from the membrane concentrates using ion exchange resins and silica sequestering media, respectively. The purified water recovery is not adversely affected by design and/or operational deficiencies in the chemical precipitation softening system that may result in higher residual hardness and silica in the supernatant from the clarifier.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer from a biomass containing the polymer, includes contacting the biomass with a solvent system, the solvent system including a solvent for the polymer and a precipitant for the polymer, to provide a residual biomass and a solution that includes the polymer, the solvent for the polymer and the precipitant for the polymer; and applying a centrifugal force to the solution and residual biomass to separate at least some of the solution from the residual biomass; where, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate; the precipitant comprises at least one alkane; the solvent for the polymer is selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and alcohols and combinations thereof; and the biomass comprises a slurry of the biomass and water.

Abstract: Methods of deoiling oily water such as SAGD and frac produce water. The oily water is treated with a natural coagulant selected from tannins and chitosan. A cationic and/or anionic flocculant may also be added to the treated oily water. The thus treated oily water may be subjected to conventional mechanical oil separation techniques such as hydrocyclonic separation, dissolved air flotation, entrapped air flotation, induced gas flotation, gravity filters, reverse osmosis filters, API, or Voraxial® bulk separators and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a fluid waste stream following mining or ore processing operations.

Abstract: A feedwell dilution system for diluting an influent feed stream, which include at least one eductor assembly, and a feedwell assembly. The at least one eductor assembly includes a feed pipe which converges to a narrow throat portion or nozzle; a mix tube positioned downstream from the narrow throat portion that is sized and configured to provide mixing of the influent feed stream and a clarified liquid drawn from a settling tank; and an enclosure, which is installed around the narrow throat portion and an inlet portion of the mix tube and includes an open-ended portion on a bottom thereof, which is sized and configured to allow a clarified liquid to be pulled into the mix tube from below the inlet portion of the mix tube. The feedwell assembly is sized and configured to receive the mixture of the influent feed stream and the clarified liquid from the mix tube.

Abstract: A precipitation device comprises a precipitation element disposed within a vessel and configured to define a precipitation zone and a solid-liquid separation zone between the precipitation element and the vessel, the precipitation zone configured to receive a first stream of saline liquid and to precipitate solids from the saline liquid, the solid-liquid separation zone configured to settle the solids by gravity, and an exit port located in an upper portion of the vessel and configured for exit of a second stream of liquid of lower salinity than the first stream, wherein a ratio of a diameter of the vessel to a diameter of the precipitation element ranges from about 1.5 to about 2.8. Associated system and method are also provided.

Abstract: A method for precipitating casein from a suspension comprising milk is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: adding a phosphate solution to a suspension; mixing the phosphate solution with the suspension to form a mixture having a phosphate concentration greater or equal to 40 mM; freezing the mixture having a phosphate concentration greater or equal to 40 mM to obtain a frozen mixture; and thawing the frozen mixture to obtain casein-containing aggregates in the mixture, in which the phosphate solution is buffered at a pH value of no less than 4.4.

Abstract: A method of removing arsenic and heavy metals from water using metal salt hydroxide-gels is provided. The arsenic present in water is adsorbed onto the hydroxide-gels which can effectively be filtered through a diatomaceous earth (DE) filtration bed. The combination of DE mixed hydroxide-gels is also effective in removing arsenic from water and heavy metals from water.

Abstract: A process for removing silicon compounds from aqueous NaCl brine includes, first, adjusting a weak brine to a pH value of less than 3 with hydrochloric acid. Iron(III) chloride or other trivalent iron ions are added to the acidified weak brine, the obtained weak brine is then continuously fed to a stirred dissolution vessel which contains undissolved salt in addition to brine. Fresh salt is charged batchwise and intermittently to the dissolution vessel to produce strong brine. The obtained strong brine is fed to a stirred buffer vessel, the pH value in this buffer vessel being maintained at a level ranging from 5 to 8. A strong-brine flow is continuously withdrawn from the buffer vessel and filtered, and the filtrate containing the added iron and silicon is discharged.

Abstract: Compositions comprising synthetic rock, e.g., aggregate, and methods of producing and using them are provided. The rock, e.g., aggregate, contains CO2 and/or other components of an industrial waste stream. The CO2 may be in the form of divalent cation carbonates, e.g., magnesium and calcium carbonates. Aspects of the invention include contacting a CO2 containing gaseous stream with a water to dissolve CO2, and placing the water under precipitation conditions sufficient to produce a carbonate containing precipitate product, e.g., a divalent cation carbonate.

Abstract: A method of treating alkaline industrial by-products, such as red mud generated by Bayer process bauxite refining, is described. Embodiments of the method comprise treating the alkaline industrial by-products with salts of divalent and/or polyvalent cations, thereby lowering pH of the alkaline industrial by-products. The method involves replacement reactions in which relatively insoluble hydroxide salts form precipitates, thereby removing hydroxide ions from solution.

Abstract: Hydraulic cement compositions that include a carbonate compound composition, e.g., a salt-water derived carbonate compound composition containing crystalline and/or amorphous carbonate compounds, are provided. Also provided are methods of making and using the hydraulic cements, as well as settable compositions, such as concretes and mortars, prepared therefrom. The cements and compositions produced therefrom find use in a variety of applications, including use in a variety of building materials and building applications.

Abstract: A metal sulphate is added to the alkali metal chloride solution in membrane electrolysis in order to increase the amount of catholyte solution formed. At the same time, a metal sulphate is added to the anolyte solution in order to improve its stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents that may be useful for treating wastes such as impure aqueous materials including wastewater to remove a significant proportion of the heavy metals that may be contained therein. The reagents include a calcium aluminosilicate (CAS) source and may include one or more of the following elements as an oxide: calcium oxide, aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, iron oxide, magnesium oxide, sodium oxide, potassium oxide, and sulfate. Further, the reagent comprises lime either as CaO or Ca(OH)2. In addition, the invention proyides methods for treating wastes such as impure aqueous materials to remove a significant proportion of the heavy metals contained therein.

Abstract: A portable water recycling and treatment system and process for used and produced flowback frac water pumps the water from a collection tank through a series of dedicated hydration, retention and filtering tanks and vessels that provide treatment for the removal of chemicals, sediments and other containments. The system, which is enclosed, can be readily assembled on-site by interconnecting the dedicated tanks, vessels and pumps. The tanks and vessels may be situated in a plurality of trailers/units that are transported separately to the site.

Abstract: A method uses anionic and cationic polymers added in, any order or simultaneously, to aqueous media for the removal of substances. The sequential addition of the two biopolymers, anionic xanthan, followed by cationic chitosan, causes the rapid formation of very large and cohesive fibrillar aggregates that may exhibit high solids to liquid ratios and that quickly settle out from the aqueous media. The aqueous media can be easily separated from the large fibrillar aggregates by settling under gravity or by filtration through a porous containment device, such as a synthetic or non-synthetic woven or non-woven fabric including a geotextile fabric or a solid containment device containing a solid mesh screen.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating aqueous solutions to remove dissolved metallic ions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved water treatment cavitation reactor cone. The tank operates on a continuous flow of fluids which are subjected to ultrasonic waves in combination with a high level of injected ozone. The treatment tank includes a tangential inlet that induces a rotating flow into the tank thereby increasing the mixing of the ozone within the effluent. The effluent is further treated with DC current. The treatment tank provides a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling fluids as contaminated as frac water, used to stimulate gas production from shale formations, as well as other types of fluids having various levels of contaminants such as aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and suspended solids. The calcium carbonate scaling tendency is reduced to an acceptable level without the use of acids, ion exchange materials, or anti scaling chemicals which is of economical and environmental significance and benefit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polysaccharides that have been modified by providing azetidinium functionality thereto. Such functionality can be provided by crosslinking a polysaccharide with a resin having azetidinium functional groups. In one or more aspects, the polysaccharide can comprise one or more of starch, guar gum, alginate or derivatives thereof. Polysaccharides having azetidinium functionality according to the present invention are suitable for multiple uses. Such uses include, but are not limited to, removal of one or more solid materials from a liquid, beneficiation of an ore, removal of metallic ions from a liquid; providing oil from bitumen; and removal of mercury from synthetic gypsum. Other uses of the functionalized polysaccharides of the present invention include hydroseeding, dust control and corosion control.