Abstract: A method of removing color bodies from a fermentation broth includes precipitating a color-forming impurity (color body) by adjusting the fermentation broth to a pH greater than about 13; filtering our precipitated color-forming impurities from the broth; and bleaching a second color impurity by treating the broth with an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a double-layered compacted solid water-purification product, comprising at least one first layer and at least one second layer, characterized in that the first layer comprises at least one flocculating system and at least one dispersion system, the second layer comprises at least one disinfectant which liberates free chlorine on contact with water and at least one excipient for the disinfectant, whereby said excipient releases the disinfectant into the water at a controlled rate such that the combination of excipient and disinfectant releases 0.1 to 100 mg/l of free chlorine per hour. The invention further relates to the method for production of such a product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for precipitating pentavalent calcium arsenate from an acidic solution, in which arsenic is at least partially in trivalent form. The acidic solution is neutralised before being routed to an arsenic oxidation stage,and a poorly soluble calcium-arsenic compound is precipitated from the solution, in which all the arsenic is pentavalent.

Abstract: A modular system for reclamation of a fluid includes a cavitation reactor operative to mechanically oxide the fluid and an ion precipitation system that receives the oxidized fluid from the cavitation reactor and thereafter introduces one or more ions at various locations to initiate precipitation of select materials. The system and associated methodology further includes injecting dissolved air and emulsion breaking chemistry into the fluid before cavitation, coalescing emulsified particulates from the fluid and saturating the fluid in an air saturation chamber that is operable to form a microbial filter.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for selective removal of silica and silicon containing compounds from solutions that include silica and silicon containing compounds, including geothermal brines.

Abstract: A hybrid chemical/mechanical water treatment plant and method employing rapid sulfur dioxide chemical disinfection and dewatering technology in conjunction with lime and oxidization/reduction agents to removal pharmaceuticals and personal care products from waters to meet operating constraints and environmental permitting restrictions and siting limitations for water treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for measuring the concentration of an additive are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a treatment stream (1) and a dosing stream (2). An additive is added to the dosing stream using a metering device (3). In some embodiments, the dosing stream is mixed after adding the additive using a first mixing device (4). Downstream from the metering device and the mixing device, the concentration of the additive in the dosing stream is measured using a monitor flow cell (5). In some embodiments, the dosing stream and treatment stream are combined (6) and mixed using a second mixing device (7). The concentration of the additive in the treatment stream can be calculated as a function of the volumetric flow rate ratio of the dosing stream to the treatment stream and the measured concentration of the additive in the dosing stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating contaminated impound water are disclosed which include a pretreatment stage wherein contaminated water is oxidized, pH adjusted, treated with a coagulant, and treated with a polymer to form a flocculent comprising bulk solids and fine particles. The oxidizing step may include two or more stages, one of which is a treatment with ferrous iron generated from iron filings or steel wool. Bulk solids are removed, and the liquid portion containing fine particles is applied to a low pressure microfiltration unit to remove the fine particles resulting in a microfilter effluent. The microfilter effluent may be directly fed to a reverse osmosis (R/O) unit. The R/O reject may be recycled to another R/O unit (second pass). The R/O permeate may be blended as needed with the microfiltration effluent to provide the final discharge effluent with reduced contaminant levels and maximized throughput.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a grey water treatment system includes an oxidation reactor for oxidizing grey water. The grey water treatment system also includes a biological reduction and precipitation system with microbes designed to remove one or more target components from the oxidized grey water.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved water treatment process that operates on a continuous flow of fluids that are subjected to hydrodynamic waves, acoustic ultrasonic waves in combination with injected ozone and electro chemical treatment. The treatment system provides a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling fluids as contaminated as coal slurry, as well as other types of fluids having various levels of contaminants such as aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and suspended solids. The volatile organic compounds are 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 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: A low cost method and system for treating water, which will be used in an industrial process, is provided. A system of the invention generally includes at least one containing means, at least one coordination means, at least one chemical application means, at least one mobile suction means, and at least one filtration means. The coordination means can control the necessary processes depending on the system needs (e.g., water quality or purity). The method and system of the invention purifies the water and eliminates suspended solids without the need of filtering the totality of the water volume, but only filtering a small fraction of up to 200 times less than the flow filtered by a conventional water treatment filtration system.

Abstract: A process of concentrating an aqueous suspension of solid particles comprising the steps of adding at least one organic polymeric flocculant to the suspension thereby forming flocculated solids in which the flocculated solids are allowed form a layer of solids and thereby forming a more concentrated suspension in which the process comprises the addition of an effective amount of an agent that is selected from the group consisting of free radical agents, oxidizing agents, enzymes and radiation, in which the agent is applied to the suspension prior to or substantially simultaneously with adding the organic polymeric flocculant and/or the organic polymeric flocculant is added to the suspension in a vessel and the agent is applied to the suspension in the same vessel. The process is particularly suitable for solids liquid separation in which the flocculated solids are allowed to settle by sedimentation in a gravity thickener.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of process streams. A catalyst mediates a wet oxidation process at elevated temperatures and pressures for treating at least one undesirable constituent in an aqueous mixture. The aqueous mixture may be contacted with a catalyst and an oxidizing agent at an elevated temperature and a superatmospheric pressure. At least a portion of the catalyst may be precipitated by a pH adjustment and recycled back to contact the aqueous mixture.

Abstract: Arsenic is removed from water and other aqueous feeds by (1) treating the feed with a compound containing cerium in the +4 oxidation state, preferably cerium dioxide, to oxidize arsenic in the +3 oxidation state to arsenic in the +5 oxidation state and (2) removing the arsenic in the +5 oxidation state from the aqueous phase, normally by contacting the treated feed with alumina or other precipitating agent containing cations in the +3 oxidation state.

Abstract: An advanced oxidation procedure for treating solution waste water, comprising: applying an ultrasound-Fenton reaction, wherein said ultrasound-Fenton reaction includes: providing oxidants and at least one catalyst selected from bivalent metal ions which include Ti, Fe, Mg, Mo, and Cu; subjecting the treated solution and said oxidants and catalyst to ultrasound cavitation generated by a generator device; forcing a flow of treated solution through said ultrasound device adapted to generate ultrasound waves for forming cavitation in said treated solution, said flow of treated solution passing through at least one flow-through tubular reactor chamber of the ultrasound device, and wherein said cavitation is effected by longitudinally linear distributed string of ultrasound transducers fixedly disposed and attached along a length of said at least one tubular reactor chamber, and wherein said cavitation is effected along a width dimension of said reactor chamber.

Abstract: The present invention claims a process to reduce COD, TOC, and total solids from a contaminated liquid medium, which comprises of the following stages: feed an electrolytic cell provided with electrodes with the contaminated liquid medium; apply a constant direct current through said electrodes; flocculate the solids present in said contaminated liquid medium by adding coadjuvant agents, remove sludge and supernatant obtained; and oxidize the supernatant through oxidizing agents.

Abstract: A sustainable method and system for treating and maintaining bodies of water at low cost for low density recreational use is disclosed. A system of the invention generally includes at least one containing means, at least one coordination means, at least one chemical application means, at least one non-intrusive mobile suction means, and at least one filtration means. The coordinating means can receive information regarding water quality parameters that are controlled, and can timely activate the processes necessary to adjust the water quality parameters within their respective limits. The disclosed methods and system filter only a small fraction of the total water volume, up to 200 times less per day than the flow filtered by conventional swimming pool filtration systems. The disclosed methods and system also use less chemicals, up to 100 times less than conventional swimming pool water treatment systems.

Abstract: Gravity sedimentation of a first aqueous suspension of solid particles in a vessel results in formation of a second aqueous suspension of solid particles in the present invention. The process involves adding at least one organic polymeric flocculant to the first aqueous suspension to form a suspension of flocculated solid. The flocculated solids settle to form a bed of consolidated solids. Introducing an effective amount of an agent into the bed of consolidated solids or into the flocculated solids that are settling leads to formation of the second aqueous suspension. The second aqueous suspension of solid particles has a higher solids content than the first aqueous suspension of solid particles. The agent is a free radical agent or an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A controllable heating pad, having a heating conductor embedded in the heating pad, a sensing conductor embedded in the heating pad, a resistive material providing a distributed electrical path between the heating conductor and the sensing conductor, a first current sensor to sense a current in the heating conductor and a second current sensor to sense a current in the sensing conductor. A method of controlling a temperature of a heating pad, including the steps of: warming the heating pad to at least a first predetermined temperature by use of an adjustable on/off signal to the controllable switch, measuring currents through an NTC material or a combination of a PTC material and an NTC material; and maintaining a temperature of the heating pad to within a predetermined temperature range by use of the adjustable on/off signal to the controllable switch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compacted solid product for water purification comprising:—at least a first layer comprising at least a coagulant/flocculant system comprising at least one polyvalent inorganic salt, at least one water-soluble cationic polymer and at least one high-molecular-weight anionic polymer,—at least a second layer comprising at least one disinfectant that releases active chlorine on contact with water, characterized in that said coagulant/flocculant system moreover comprises a sodium alginate. The invention also relates to the method for preparing such a product.

Abstract: This disclosure describes novel systems and methods for removing gel from flowback water. The methods and systems include treating acidified flowback water with aluminum chlorohydrate.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to processes for extracting iron and/or calcium from geothermal brines.

Abstract: A separation process for separating two or more immiscible liquids using contactors utilizing high surface area vertical hanging fibers is disclosed. This separation process is especially useful in the separation of disulfide oil formed during the oxidation of spent caustic solution that was used to remove sulfur contaminates from light hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Nanoscale additives and methodology for their use during polymer-aided sludge dewatering to increase the dewatering efficiency compared to traditionally used polymer-only dewatering processes. The nanoscale additive increases the percent solids in the dewatered cake compared to polymer-only treatment. When the nanoscale additives are added, the centrifugal force (shear) required to obtain high percent solids can be significantly reduced and the optimum polymer dose required for effective dewatering is also significantly reduced.

Abstract: A process for improving the precipitation of calcium and/or magnesium salts in the regeneration of a used alkaline cleaning solution includes the steps of providing a spent alkaline or acidic cleaning solution, adding sodium bentonite and sodium carbonate to the spent alkaline or acidic cleaning solution in a mixing zone so as to provide an interactive solution, adding only one of an anionic polymeric flocculating agent or a cationic polymer flocculating agent to the interactive solution, and precipitating in soluble calcium and magnesium salts as flocs. The solution containing the flocs is subjected to a filtration process so as to bring the precipitated solids to a solids content of greater than 25%.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of efficiently removing selenium from water. The method involves: adding an oxidant to the liquid, adjusting the liquid's pH to below 7.5, adding ferric salt in an amount such that less than a quarter of selenium in the liquid precipitates and adding a poly dithiocarbamate material to the liquid in an amount such that the amount of poly dithiocarbamate material (in ppm) is greater than the amount of ferric salt (in ppm). This method removes far more selenium than previous methods, and does it using a smaller amount of expensive chemicals. Moreover this method makes it far more likely to achieve cost effective compliance with the ever-increasing environmental standards for selenium in water.

Abstract: The present technology relates to compositions comprising a copolymer comprising a poly(C2-4 alkylene oxide) and a cationic polyacrylamide, and a plurality of nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or a mixture thereof. The compositions may serve as flocculating agents to remove neutral and negatively charged nanoparticle pollutants from gasses, including air, and liquids such as water.

Abstract: Advanced oxidation process namely ozonation and Fenton's (hydrogen peroxide/Fe:2+) were utilized to degrade kinetic hydrate inhibitor (KHI). The oxidized solution after scavenging oxygen can be successfully disposed to the injection well. This facilitates use of KHI more frequently and in higher concentrations for future projects oil & gas operations. It also offers an alternative that competes efficiently with thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor (THI) or complements THI.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes, methods, apparatuses, and systems for multi-function water treatment to condition feed water from various sources. The multi-function treatment includes seven stages, where the chemical content of the entered feed water is conditioned, then broken, then oxidized, then de-foamed, then clarified, then de-scaled, and then filtered via each stage.

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: A new method that integrates electrochemical oxidation and flocculation processes for removing ammonia nitrogen in coking wastewater is disclosed in this invention. It comprises steps as follow: first, adjusting the PH of coking wastewater and adding Fe2+ into the wastewater; then leading the wastewater containing Fe2+ through such 5 areas as pulsed high-voltage discharge oxidation area, pulsed high-frequency DC electrolytic oxidation area, microbubble oxidation area, flocculation area and precipitation area in succession. High-voltage pulse and high-frequency pulse are two different mechanisms for achieving strong oxidation. With help of both solid and liquid catalysts, these two oxidations can work synergistically. The recalcitrant organic chemicals are effectively destroyed and satisfactorily removed out of wastewater. The high-concentration coking waster pretreated with this method will meet Chinese highest discharge standard as long as the routine biochemical treatment is applied thereafter.

Abstract: Nonthermal plasma gas injection is applied in conjunction with other treatment means such as a precipitant, to effect chemical treatment of a liquid medium. The combined treatment performs one or more of chemically modifying a component of the medium, activating or enhancing the performance of a treatment material for the medium, and removing one or more chemical component from the medium. The nonthermal plasma can be applied directly in a liquid medium, in an aerosol of the medium, or to a treatment material in contact with or cycled into and out of the medium. Applications include removing contaminants including arsenic from drinking water.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated method and system for treating a contaminated fluid. The integrated system and method is configured to simultaneously perform multiple functions, for example, transportation, mixing, treatment and separation. The contaminated fluid and treating agents are pumped simultaneously into a processing tank and vigorously mixed by at least one pump-mixer. The at least one pump-mixer is configured to simultaneously perform combined functions such as fluid transportation, rapid and vigorous mixing and treatment. The rapid and vigorous mixing by at least one pump-mixer enhances the processing rates considerably. The contaminants and the disaggregated particles undergo treatment as a result of their reactions with the treating agents. The process residuals, usually in the form of sludge, are separated from the treated fluid. The separation system is also configured to simultaneously perform multiple functions.

Abstract: A process for treating waste water, effluent streams, e.g., acid mine drainage, containing heavy metals and soluble contaminants is provided. In one embodiment, at least a metal cation is added to the effluent water at a pre-selected pH to form insoluble heavy metal complexes. In one embodiment, the metal cation is a trivalent metal ion, e.g., ferric iron such as in ferric sulfate. In another embodiment, a divalent metal ion such as ferrous sulfate is used. After the removal of the heavy metal complexes, the effluent water is treated with an aluminum salt such as calcium aluminate to remove remaining soluble contaminants, thus producing a treated water stream with reduced levels of contaminants.

Abstract: Novel devices for synthesizing ferrate and uses thereof are described. One aspect of the invention relates to devices and systems for synthesizing ferrate at a site proximal to the site of use.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes using the naturally present dissolved chemicals as precipitants from local water sources to form an adsorbent and a process of purifying the water using natural resources. The adsorbent may be processed at the right pH and temperature to purify and remove heavy metals from waste water. Once the heavy metals are removed the concentration of the heavy metals are estimated in the reusable water. The local authority acceptable level heavy metal containing reusable water is reclaimed for non-human consumption. This disclosure enables to conserve water and provide a cheap and an effective method to decontaminate industrial waste water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of concentrating an aqueous suspension of solid particles comprising the steps of adding at least one organic polymeric flocculant to the suspension thereby forming flocculated solids in which the flocculated solids are allowed form a layer of solids and thereby forming a more concentrated suspension in which the process comprises the addition of an effective amount of an agent that is selected from the group consisting of free radical agents, oxidising agents, enzymes and radiation, in which the agent is applied to the suspension prior to or substantially simultaneously with adding the organic polymeric flocculant and/or the organic polymeric flocculant is added to the suspension in a vessel and the agent is applied to the suspension in the same vessel. The process is particularly suitable for solids liquid separation in which the flocculated solids are allowed to settle by sedimentation in a gravity thickener.

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 provides methods for treating wastes such as impure aqueous materials to remove a significant proportion of the heavy metals contained therein.

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: A process for treating waste includes reacting a feedstock in a reactor to form an effluent. The feedstock is part of a reaction mixture that includes sulfuric and nitric acid. The effluent is separated into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction. Heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, mercury, molybdenum, and/or selenium are removed from the liquid fraction to form a cleaned liquid fraction. The reaction mixture, excluding solids, includes no more than 7.5 wt % of the total of the first oxidizing acid and the nitric acid.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes using the naturally present dissolved chemicals as precipitants from local water sources to form an adsorbent. The adsorbent may be collected and used at the right pH and temperature to purify and remove heavy metals from waste water. Once the heavy metals are removed the concentration of the heavy metals are estimated in the reusable water. The local authority acceptable level heavy metal containing reusable water is reclaimed for non-human consumption. This disclosure enables to conserve water and provide a cheap and an effective method to decontaminate industrial waste water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for decontaminating aqueous media comprising organic contaminants. The process is targeted at reducing the COD and/or the TOC of an aqueous medium comprising organic molecules. It consists in subjecting the aqueous medium to an electron beam generated by an electron accelerator in the presence of a catalyst and in then removing the precipitates formed from the treated solution, said catalyst comprising a metal ion persulfate and optionally an Fe(II) salt or an Fe(III) salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of concentrating an aqueous suspension of solid particles comprising the steps of adding at least one organic polymeric flocculant to the suspension thereby forming flocculated solids in which the flocculated solids are allowed form a layer of solids and thereby forming a more concentrated suspension in which the process comprises the addition of an effective amount of an agent that is selected from the group consisting of free radical agents, oxidising agents, enzymes and radiation, in which the agent is applied to the suspension prior to or substantially simultaneously with adding the organic polymeric flocculant and/or the organic polymeric flocculant is added to the suspension in a vessel and the agent is applied to the suspension in the same vessel. The process is particularly suitable for solids liquid separation in which the flocculated solids are allowed to settle by sedimentation in a gravity thickener.

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: The present invention relates to a method for recovering an organic-inorganic element-doped metal oxide from a hydrolysable metal compound, accompanied with contaminated water treatment. The present invention comprises steps of: a) adding a hydrolysable metal compound as a coagulant to a contaminated water to form a separable floc between the hydrolysable metal compound and contaminants present in contaminated water; b) separating the separable floc and the pre-treated water after flocculation treatment; and c) calcinating the separated floc over 500° C. to produce an organic-inorganic element-doped metal oxide. More preferably, the present invention further comprises subjecting the pre-treated water of the step b) to a microwave treatment to cause a photocatalytic degradation of an organic contaminant that remains in the pre-treated water, with the assistance of the remaining hydrolysable metal compound.

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: An object (first object) of the invention is to provide a waste water treatment technology (pretreatment technology in particular) which makes it possible to recover fluorine at a high recovery rate as highly pure calcium fluoride, without diluting waste water containing fluorine and silicon, i.e. to recover fluorine from high-concentration waste water containing fluorine and silicon. Waste water containing fluorine and silicon is supplied to a pH controlling tank 1 and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is added thereto, with the result that sodium silicate is precipitated. Thereafter, the waste water is supplied to a solid-liquid separator 2 so that solid-liquid separation of sodium silicate is conducted.

Abstract: A controllable heating pad, having a heating conductor embedded in the heating pad, a sensing conductor embedded in the heating pad, a resistive material providing a distributed electrical path between the heating conductor and the sensing conductor, a first current sensor to sense a current in the heating conductor and a second current sensor to sense a current in the sensing conductor. A method of controlling a temperature of a heating pad, including the steps of: warming the heating pad to at least a first predetermined temperature by use of an adjustable on/off signal to the controllable switch, measuring currents through an NTC material or a combination of a PTC material and an NTC material; and maintaining a temperature of the heating pad to within a predetermined temperature range by use of the adjustable on/off signal to the controllable switch.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming a formate brine that includes increasing the pH of a spent formate brine fluid comprising water-soluble polymers; treating the fluid with an oxidizing agent; and removing at least a portion of suspended solids from the fluid is disclosed.