Abstract: A process for automating fine coal cleaning including monitoring the operation of a flotation cell for separating coal from ash impurities by automatically detecting the coal content of the tailings from the cell and controlling the supply of additives to the cell to optimize slurry coal recovery and automatically monitoring the fluid level of the coal slurry in a dewatering filter tub to control the supply of additives to the filter tub and functioning of a dewatering filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides the methyl chloride and dimethyl surfate quaternary ammonium salts of 1-acryloyl-4-methyl piperazine, their homopolymers and copolymers, and water clarification processes in which is used polymers of 1-acryloyl-4-methyl piperazine.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for water purification, wherein ions are released from electrodes during electrolysis and combine with impurities to form a floc which, in turn, absorbs other impurities. A moving bed of solid, non-conductive particles surrounding the electrodes is also provided to insure self-cleaning of the electrodes. The apparatus for carrying out the process comprises an electrolysis chamber containing a moving bed of solid particles surrounding the electrodes, an inlet conduit for contaminated water at one end of the chamber, and a conically extending flocculation basin at the opposite end of the chamber. The invention simplifies water purification processes and apparatus.

Abstract: The primary and/or secondary structure of nucleic acid as well as its content and molecular weight can be analyzed in solutions by light scatter or fluorescence measurements after treatment with 3 or 4 ring aromatic cations which bind to single-stranded nucleic acids by cooperative association and induce their condensation (collapse). Preparative separation of nucleic acids of different types from the mixtures in the solution is also accomplished by the same principle and techniques wherein each condensed acid is removed from solution and the condensation reversed.

Abstract: An injection control system of a flocculating agent comprises: a flocculating pool into which the inflow liquid flocculating agent is injected and which forms flocs of suspended matters in the liquid; flocculating agent injecting means for injecting the flocculating agent into the flocculating pool; floc image pickup means for photographing a state of the flocs in the flocculating pool and for converting luminance data of the flocs into an electric signal; image recognizing means for recognizing the shape of floc by binarizing the image signal derived from the floc image pickup means on the basis of a luminance level of each pixel; flocculation state deciding means for calculating a characteristic amount of a diameter distribution of the flocs on the basis of the floc shapes recognized by the image recognizing means; and injection amount control means for controlling an amount of the flocculating agent which is injected from the flocculating agent injecting means on the basis of the characteristic amount.

Abstract: A method to determine performance of a treating agent (CA) added to a system body of liquid to enhance performance of the liquid body is determined by employing an inert fluorescent tracer (T) in a known T:CA dosage proportion, prepared on the basis of a concentration of CA (e.g. ppm) proposed for optimum performance in the liquid body. The system liquid is sampled and, on the basis of fluorescent emission, the sampled indicator is compared to a standard ppm concentration of T to determine the concentration and efficacy of CA and the physical characteristics and operating parameters of the liquid body.

Abstract: Asphaltenes and/or wax and/or water are removed from crude oil by contacting the crude oil with an organic solvent to dissolve the crude oil and precipitate asphaltenes and/or wax and separate the oil and water. Solvent is then separated from the deasphalted and/or dewaxed and/or dehydrated crude oil.Removing asphaltenes, wax and/or water reduces the viscosity of the crude oil and it can then be transported, e.g. by pumping through a pipeline, with less expenditure of energy.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the exchange of substances between substance carrier and recovery fluids in predetermined carrier/recovery fluid volumetric ratios, and operate through the vaporization of the carrier fluid in a separation chamber to separate the substance therefrom at a separation zone therein and effect the deposition and accumulation of the substance in a relatively narrow band, and the subsequent recovery of the substance band form the separation chamber by the substance recovery fluid. Correlation of the carrier fluid flow rate into the separation chamber, and the separation chamber temperature, is effective to determine the location of the substance band in the separation chamber. Segmentation of the substance carrier and recovery fluids materially increases the efficiency of the separation and recovery processes. The apparatus and method are particularly adapted for high operational rate operation on an automated basis; and are adapted for operation on a batch basis.

Abstract: A system for extracting moisture from sludge of the type handled by municipalities and industries. The system involves the use of a feed line where the sludge is mixed with a chemical treating agent adapted to achieve flocculation. The sludge is conveyed, with or without some partial separation of moisture, to a progressive cavity continuous press for feeding of the sludge through the press. The press is of the type employing a slotted or screened housing with an interior shaft so that the cavity of the press is defined between the shaft and the housing. The size of this cavity progressively decreases from the inlet end to the outlet end of the press whereby the mixture is gradually compressed as it moves through the press. Moisture contained in the mixture is thereby extracted through the housing which is designed to at least minimize passage of solids. A discharge chamber is located at the outlet end of the press for collecting the partially dehydrated mixture.

Abstract: A method for improving separation of the flotable phase from the non-flotable phase of a slurry of particulate material in a froth flotation machine comprising a tank, an upper outlet port for discharge of the flotable phase, and a mechanism for delivering air to the slurry in the tank to form a froth which includes a mixture of air bubbles and the flotable phase from the slurry, with the rate and selectivity of separation of the flotable phase from the slurry for predetermined size particles of the flotable phase and at a predetermined concentration of the flotable phase being dependent on the total volume and size distribution of the air bubbles generated in the slurry, the method of this invention comprising the steps of providing a quantity of slurry in the tank, generating air bubbles of relatively small size and relatively large size, and controlling the volume of air as small bubbles and the volume of air as large bubbles in response to the concentration of the flotable phase of the slurry for enhanced

Abstract: A system (10) is provided for treating wastewater discharged from airplane manufacturing operations. The system (10) includes a variety of sequential chemical adjustments to the waste stream which can remove substantially all toxic organics and heavy metals therefrom.

Abstract: A level measuring sensor is arranged at the start of the straining zone in the perforated belt press and this in particular measures the level change and then regulates the flocculant inflow. In order that the level in the straining zone is stabilized, the perforated belt press must operate in the overflocculation zone. If the flocculant inflow is reduced to the technically possible operating limit, the dry substance content of the filter cake has an optimum value. Thus, the optimization of the control of the operation of the perforated belt press can be reduced to a relatively simple measurement of a level or the time changed thereto.

Abstract: Solids suspensions are dewatered by filter plate pressing by adding a flocculant downstream of the filter press pump(s), the pump(s) being of the positive displacement type whereby the amount of flocculant required can be determined from the speed of the pump(s). Apparatus is provided which includes a filter plate press, one or more filter press pumps of the positive displacement type, and means for sensing the speed of the pump(s) and for controlling the dose of flocculant in dependence thereon. A mixer is constructed as a cylindrical chamber with radial inlets and axial outlets, and includes plate-like impellers.

Abstract: A method for softening a fluid containing hardness constituents, comprising the steps of: (a) mixing the fluid with sufficient amounts of a softening agent, and previously precipitated hardness constituents in a reactor to establish a softening reaction in the reactor for precipitating a substantial portion of the hardness constituents contained in the fluid; (b) removing a portion of the fluid and precipitated hardness constituents from the reactor as a slurry and filtering the slurry through a cross-flow microfiltration module containing at least one elongated filtration tube, whereby substantially all of the precipitated hardness constituents are removed from the portion of the fluid exiting from the module as filtrate; and (c) returning at least a portion of the filtered out precipitated hardness constiuents exiting from the module to the reactor as the previously precipitated hardness constituents.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for achieving and maintaining the clarity of bicarbonate bearing waters. The process has application to treating bicarbonate bearing waters where such waters are for injection into a subsurface formation, for waste disposal, or for any other industrial purpose where bicarbonate bearing waters may need to be treated. The process is intended to prevent an imbalance in the bicarbonate/carbonate equilibria in bicarbonate containing waters as the water is treated in a treatment process. The process involves the measurement and control of carbon dioxide content to prevent the deposition of both organic and inorganic solids. By use of the process the specifications on turbidity and suspended solids content in treated water can be met with a significant decrease in, or possibly elimination of, the dosage of other treating chemicals.

Abstract: A filter press (10) is supplied with material to be filtered by a filling pump (20) and a high pressure pump (26). Both pumps are connected in parallel and designed as eccentric worm pumps. The charging pressure is gradually raised to a final pressure without any temporary dropping so as to reduce the charging time to a minimum. In correspondence with the gradually decreasing absorption capacity of the filter press (10) first the normal speed of the filling pump (20) is lowered to a predetermined lower operating speed at unvarying speed of the high pressure pump (26). If required, then also the speed of the high pressure pump (26) is reduced. If the absorption capacity of the filter press (10) again increases, first the speed of the high pressure pump (26) is raised again to its former value and, if necessary, subsequently the speed of the filling pump (20) is increased again.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel apparatus and process for the complete dewatering of sludge containing hazardous and toxic materials, the stabilization of pathogens and microorganisms contained in the sludge and the disintegration and volume reduction of the resultant solids including a blending chamber for the blending of sludge and a predetermined amount of electrolyte, the partial dewatering of the sludge and electrolyte in a filter unit, the adjustment of the resultant filter cake to a desired thickness and the measurement of the conductivity of the filter cake and the transporting of the filter cake to a disintegration chamber where the filter cake is introduced to an automatically-adjustable source of electrical energy reducing the filter cake to particulate solids and where the filter cake conductivity measurements are communicated to the blending station and the source of electrical energy for the automatic adjustment of same.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a regulating apparatus for a dewatering machine, in particular a double strainer dewatering machine (sieve belt press), with one or more control circuits, for instance a flocculant control circuit and/or a flow rate control circuit, or a straining rate control circuit, to adapt to sludges or suspensions with varying dewatering properties, the improvement comprising means employing the rate of freely draining filtrate in the strainer zone as the criterion value for the flocculant control circuit.

Abstract: A process for the reduction of undesirable levels of algal growth in salt water bodies in which an effective amount of treatment water is added at the surface of the salt water body. The treatment water has a salinity and density either greater or less than that of the water at the surface of the salt water body. As a result, algae which have become accustomed to the existing conditions of salinity and density undergo rupture of cells and settle to the bottom of the salt water body, if the water density has been decreased, or suffer lower reproduction rates, and eventually flocculate and settle to the bottom of the salt water body, if the water density has been increased.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons containing PCB are blended with metallic sodium at a temperature of about 130.degree. C. and thereafter the mixture is separated into its components one of which is a hydrocarbon containing less than about 2 ppm of PCB. When the 1254 arachlor is the predominant species of the PCB, metallic sodium having a maximum dimension of about 1/4 inch to about 1/2 inch is blended with the heated hydrocarbon. When the 1254 arachlor is not the predominant species of the PCB, metallic sodium having a maximum dimension of about 20 microns to about 50 microns is blended.

Abstract: Rapid in situ estimation of the degree of dispersion in flowing two-phase systems, in particular for determining optimum metering of dispersants or flocculants in concentrated dispersions, is carried out by a method in which assignment of the degree of dispersion is effected by measuring the pressure drop experienced by a flowing dispersion along a defined length during tubular flow.

Abstract: An upflow eductor induced air separator providing a main separator tank receiving a continuous fluid flow divided into a plurality of aeration chambers with each aeration chamber providing eductor means wherein gas is educted into an upflow water stream with contaminants of suspended oil and solids in the continuous fluid flow adhering to the gas bubbles for collection in a froth layer on the top portion of the tank. There is further provided a V-shaped collection channel extending substantially the length of the tank for removal of collected oil following the sensing activation of a valve allowing the fluid level within the tank to rise, with oil and solids ladened froth being removed through the valve. There is further provided a recirculation pump for recirculating the effluent which exits the tank following the aeration process, and a chemical injection mechanism for injecting a mixture of chemical flocculating agent entering the main separating tank.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for achieving and maintaining the clarity of bicarbonate bearing waters. The process has application to treating bicarbonate bearing waters where such waters are for injection into a subsurface formation, for waste disposal, or for any other industrial purpose where bicarbonate bearing waters may need to be treated. The process is intended to prevent an imbalance in the bicarbonate/carbonate equilibria in bicarbonate containing waters as the water is treated in a treatment process. The process involves the measurement and control of carbon dioxide content to prevent the deposition of both organic and inorganic solids. By use of the process the specifications on turbidity and suspended solids content in treated water can be met with a significant decrease in, or possibly elimination of, the dosage of other treating chemicals.

Abstract: The problem of rising sludge in biological wastewater treatment secondary clarifiers is overcome by minimizing entrainment of nitrogen gas with mixed liquor entering the transfer pipe to the clarifier such that the level of dissolved nitrogen in the biomass settling in the clarifier remains less than that in equilibrium with nitrogen gas at the pressure prevailing in the biomass. This invention is most efficacious in cases where soluble oxides of nitrogen are present and are reduced by the biomass to elemental nitrogen. In accordance with one described embodiment the excess nitrogen is removed by degassing of the mixed liquor in the effluent pit of the system by deepening and widening the usual pit in such manner that the rate of descent of mixed liquor therein to a discharge outlet is less than 0.4 feet per second and the depth is greater than 4 feet, thus permitting the gas-containing macrobubbles to rise to the surface of the pit where these are degassed.

Abstract: The invention provides processes and apparatus for the controlled addition of conditioning (polymer) material to sewage sludge to improve its dewaterability. These materials are expensive and overdosage is to be avoided, while underdosage causes difficulty in sludge handling. The principal problem has been the absence of a system capable of continuous determination of proper dosage. It has been found that shear stress tests with a viscometer result in characteristics that exhibit a unique peak when dosage is adequate or above. A control system controlling the rate of pumping of the polymer to mix with the sludge is operative by measuring the shear stress and increasing the dosage in the absence of a peak. Upon detection of a peak the rate of decrease after the peak is also measured and used to resolve the potential ambiguity of whether dosage should be increased, decreased or remain steady.

Abstract: A mixture containing solid and liquid components is saturated with a polyelectrolyte compound, over-flocculating the solids contained therein and causing the solids to coalesce into masses or globules. These coalesced masses may then be separated from the liquid component, yielding substantially separated phases.

Abstract: A system is provided for restoring and maintaining a eutrophied natural body of water such as a lake. The system includes an initial treatment or takedown phase to precipitate phosphates, if necessary. A second or final phase includes the utilization of a series of dispensers in the lake water and in the watershed area to continually add measured, slightly less than stoichiometric amounts of secondary phosphate precipitating cations, such as soluble complexes of trivalent cations, to continually inactivate phosphates, with hydroxo complexes, fluoro complexes and complexes of weak organic acids, including amino acids, being preferred.

Abstract: The invention relates to the chemical removal of phosphorus compounds from waste water, this waste water being treated with one or more metal compounds, without any problems presenting themselves as regards the separation of the metal phosphate compounds. To achieve this, the waste water is treated with the metal compound in a fluidized bed of metal phosphate particles.The invention also relates to a process for the purification of waste water in which the effluent from a biological purification is subjected to the above-mentioned method for the removal of phosphorus.

Abstract: Flotation aids and a process for the flotation of non-sulfidic minerals. The flotation aids have the formula ##STR1## wherein R repesents an aliphatic, cyclic, or alicyclic C.sub.7 -C.sub.23 radical, optionally substituted with one or more hydroxyl, sulfhydryl, carbonyl, ether, or thioether groups; X.sup.n+ is hydrogen or a water-solubilizing, salt-forming cation; and n is the valence of X. The invention also relates to ore suspensions and mineral concentrates in association with the above flotation aids.

Abstract: A system and process has been devised for measuring and constantly maintaining a desired concentration of soluble sulfides in a processing solution for the purpose of fully maintaining its function. Sulfide regenerating solution is automatically introduced into the processing solution in an amount as constantly determined by concentration variations in the processing solution, to thus provide the processing solution with its most effective sulfide content. A constant take-off flow of processing solution is thoroughly mixed with a sulfide stabilizing solution flow to provide a tempered solution flow that is passed through a flow block having a sulfide measuring electrode and a reference electrode. Variable negative voltage generated on the sulfide electrode is sensed and compared with a substantially constant voltage generated on the reference electrode and is amplified in a controller assembly.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the chemical-mechanical treatment and purification of ground and surface waters and effluents of various types employs adding materials for coagulation, flocculation, precipitation, sedimentation and altering the pH value. The process comprises separate process stages carried out successively as follows: (1) a first initial process stage wherein certain additives are admixed to the raw water by stirring; (2) a second initial process stage wherein contact sludge is admixed by stirring; (3) a third initial process stage wherein a flocculent aid and possibly also at least some of the other materials added in the first stage are admixed by stirring with high energy input; and alternatively (4) a fourth initial process stage for the formation of course flocs and completion of reaction of the previously added materials and formation of settleable particles and conglomerations of particles together with adsorbed and attached and occluded raw water components with moderate movement.

Abstract: Heavy metal pollutant ions are precipitated from a wastewater stream as metal sulfides through the addition of a calcium sulfide mixture to the stream. Methods are disclosed for forming the calcium sulfide mixture and for controlling the amount thereof added to the wastewater stream.

Abstract: Process for the treatment of decontamination effluents, more particularly the components of nuclear reactors, of the type containing in solution permanganate, phosphate and sulphate ions and active manganese, chrome and cobalt ions, wherein it comprises the successive stages of reducing the permanganate ions by adding hydrogen peroxide, alkalization to a pH equal to or above 12, separation of the precipitate formed and final acidification of the residual liquid phase to bring its pH to a value compatible with discharge into the environment.The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the above process.

Abstract: The hot water extraction process for recovering bitumen from tar sand produces a large volume of solids-laden aqueous tailings as a waste product. The solids in the tailings stream may be flocculated by the addition of time and the components of the stream then separated into a water-free solids phase and a clarified water phase. During flocculation, the zeta potential of the stream is monitored. It rises from an initial negative zeta potential, as the lime is added. Flocculation is terminated when the zeta potential is about zero. At this point, the tailings are in optimum condition for separation into the water-free solids phase and the clarified water phase. Separation is preferably effected by vacuum filtration.

Abstract: In a water purification plant, where a coagulant is dosed into raw water to coagulate turbidity-causing particles suspended in the raw water to form floc, and the water containing the floc is led to a sedimentation basin to separate the floc by sedimentation, thereby purifying the raw water, a coagulation effect is quickly detected by by-passing a portion of the water containing the floc and flowing to the sedimentation basin through a filter column of an apparatus for detecting a coagulation effect, the filter column being filled with a filter layer of filter medium, detecting a filtration pressure at the column side at a specific level of the filter layer at a specific time interval, monitoring a change in a rate of change in the filtration pressures to detect an improper dosage of the coagulant in correlation to the change in the rate of change in the filtration pressure, and outputting an alarm signal to a coagulant dosage control system, when the detected coagulation effect is detected improper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the feed rate of water treatment chemicals to a process stream requiring such treatment. A sample stream is obtained from the dynamic process stream at a controlled and constant rate and is fed to a settling column. The settling column is equipped with underflow and overflow weirs and a sensor between the weirs for monitoring the concentration of solids. The settling column provides a quiescent area in which solids and/or other particulate matter to be settled can demonstrate their relative tendency to do so. A controller responsive to the sensor governs the feed rate of a particular treatment chemical.

Abstract: A novel method for continuously monitoring and controlling the total alkalinity attributable to carbon dioxide, bicarbonate ion and carbonate ion such as is found in water and waste water treatment systems and in cooling towers. This method includes the steps of sampling the aqueous solution, adjusting the pH of the sample, detecting with a pCO.sub.2 probe the total carbon dioxide of the sample, and adding an alkalinity-controlling chemical to the aqueous solution. Also provided is a method for continuously monitoring this total alkalinity in a natural body of water.

Abstract: The operation of a continuous thickener, clarifier, or similar device having a feed well into which a feed slurry of suspended solids and a flocculant are continually introduced to effect separation of the slurry into a clarified solution which is withdrawn through an overflow launder and a thickened sludge which is transported into a discharge port at the bottom of the unit is controlled by establishing the slime level at a point near the bottom of the feed well, continuously monitoring the density of the downflowing slurry within the well, and regulating the rate of flocculant addition in response to small changes in the slurry density.

Abstract: In a process for the treatment of water with ozone a partial current of treated water is contacted under pressure in a packed column with an oxygen-ozone mixture from an ozonizer to oxidize water contaminants and to improve their flocculation. The portion of oxygen which has not dissolved in the water in the packed column is recycled into the ozonizer and the treated partial water current is mixed again with water to be treated. The pressure in the column is adjusted in dependence on the nitrogen content of the water to be treated. By this measure is ensured that the quantity of nitrogen escaping from the water and contained in the cycle oxygen permits an optimum operation of the ozonizer. The nitrogen content in the cycle oxygen is preferably kept below 10% by volume.