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: 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: A personally portable water purification compound prepared in unit dosage form such as tablets, packages and the like and having titanium dioxide (TiO2) in the form of fine particles, and adsorbed chlorine held at the surface of the titanium dioxide particles; and a titanium based coagulant; the compound being prepared in a plurality of unit dose size packages, for personal use by individuals. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a personally portable water purification compound consisting of the steps of heating titanium dioxide particles up to a temperature between about 260-500° C., passing a cold dry gaseous chlorine flow around the titanium dioxide particles; and cooling the titanium dioxide during the treatment.

Abstract: A composition and method for reducing a concentration of chlorite in water. The composition comprises a mixture of ferrous iron and a polyaluminum chloride. The mixture is contacted with a water containing chlorite.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system includes a chemical treatment process tank for receiving and chemically treating wastewater. The wastewater treatment system also includes a blending system for receiving and activating a flocculating agent such as a polymer. The wastewater treatment system further includes a static mixer for introducing the flocculating agent into the wastewater and for promoting flocculation of the wastewater as the wastewater flows from the chemical treatment process tank to a clarification tank.

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 water or wastewater treatment system to reduce phosphorus or other pollutant concentrations in water or wastewater may include an optional primary treatment stage in fluid communication with a biological secondary treatment stage. The secondary treatment stage may, in turn, be fluidly connected with a tertiary treatment stage, which may include a chemical treatment portion for reducing phosphorus or other pollutants to desired levels. The precipitated phosphorus and other solids or sludge produced from the chemical treatment portion may be recycled upstream for reuse in the primary, secondary, and/or tertiary treatment stages. Such recycle may reduce the amount of added chemicals required in the tertiary treatment stage to phosphorus or other pollutants to desired amounts.

Abstract: A method for removing chloride from an aqueous solution having an initial chloride ion (Cl?) weight concentration, comprising: adding a magnesium compound to the aqueous solution, magnesium ion weight concentration being less than about 20% of the initial chloride ion weight concentration; adding at least two compounds comprising calcium ions (Ca2+), hydroxide ions (OH?) and aluminate ions (AlO2?), wherein pH of the aqueous solution is greater than about 10 after addition of the at least two compounds; and stirring for precipitation.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a binder from a waste water effluent is disclosed. A method for recovering the protein used in the manufacture of the binder comprises adding an agglomerating agent to the waste effluent stream, precipitating the protein and separating the water from the protein. The steps for manufacturing the binder from the protein include hydrolyzing the protein, mixing an adhesive polymer with the protein and curing the protein.

Abstract: Provided is a standalone integrated water treatment system for a distributed water supply. A filter input receives water to be treated. A coagulation system is in operative connection with the filter input, wherein the water which has been filtered is subjected to a coagulation process performed by the coagulation system to create pin floc from suspensions in the water. A maturation buffer tank is in operative connection with the coagulation system, wherein floc is aggregated in size within the water. A spiral separator is in operative connection with the maturation buffer tank, and the water is separated into two water streams, a first stream of water having most of the floc removed, and a second stream of water which includes a concentrated amount of the floc. An optional filtration system is in operative connection with the spiral separator and is configured to receive the first stream of water and to perform a filtration operation on the first stream of water.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminant from feedwater by forming a dispersion comprising bubbles of a treatment gas in a continuous phase comprising feedwater, wherein the bubbles have a mean diameter of less than about 5 ?m and wherein the treatment gas is selected from air, oxygen, and chlorine. A method for removing contaminants from a feedwater by subjecting a fluid mixture comprising feedwater and a treatment gas to a shear rate greater than 20,000 s?1 in a high shear device to produce a dispersion of treatment gas in a continuous phase of the feedwater. A system for treating feedwater to remove contaminants therefrom is also presented, the system comprising at least one high shear mixing device comprising at least one generator comprising a rotor and a stator separated by a shear gap; and a pump configured for delivering feedwater and treatment gas to the high shear mixing device.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of at least one compound with biological properties from blood, where said method is performed in sealed tubes at a pressure below atmospheric pressure, thereby reducing or preventing the bacterial contamination of the compound through handling. The method comprises the repetition, for as many times as is required, of the following steps: connecting a second container that is vacuum-sealed to an extraction device connected in turn to a first container that contains blood separated into fractions, waiting for a period of time until the required fraction(s) is/are transferred, and removing said second container, with it thus being possible to obtain several second containers with different compounds for different medical applications including biological therapies. The steps may be performed in a closed system, without removing the caps of the containers, or alternatively the first container may be opened prior to the introduction of the extraction device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a purification method characterized by adding a chitosan powder or a chitosan-coated substance, and optionally further adding a silica sol to liquor and filtering the mixture by a filter machine to remove unsaturated fatty acids, compounds of unsaturated fatty acids with metal ions, or fusel oil from the liquor.

Abstract: The current invention relates to the modification of precipitate formed from an acidic slurry or solution resulting in decreased settling times and final solids bed volumes. The current invention uses an aqueous synthetic mixture comprising a phosphate, phosphonate, anionic polymer, anionic/cationic polymer blend or combinations thereof in the slurry and/or solution to improve clarification of the process stream. The claimed invention has a significant effect on precipitate morphology consequently improving settling characteristics and allowing for superior solid-liquid separation and process throughput.

Abstract: A method for processing waste copper liquid produces high copper content sludge, mainly by recycling a low copper content waste liquid from production of PCB in order to discharge a comparatively higher copper content sludge. First, the waste liquid is classified into an acidic low concentration copper waste liquid, an acidic high concentration copper waste liquid, and an oxidized acidic high concentration copper waste liquid. Then mix with a strong alkali to react and form a cupric oxide sludge that then undergoes dehydration and baking by applicable equipment to remove water and get a higher copper content sludge. It is therefore unnecessary to add other conversion agents to convert copper hydroxide into cupric oxide, thereby turning the valueless low copper content sludge from a waste liquid into a valuable recyclable high copper content sludge.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a combination of a polymeric chelant and coagulant to treat metal containing wastewater. More particularly, the invention is directed at removing copper from CMP wastewater. The composition includes a combination of (a) a polymeric chelant derived from a polyamine selected from the group consisting of diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetraamine (TETA), tertraethylenepentaamine (TEPA), poly[vinylamine], and branched or linear poly[ethylenimine] (PEI); and (b) a water soluble or dispersible copolymer of a tannin and a cationic monomer selected from the group consisting of methyl chloride or dimethyl sulfate quaternary salt of dimethyl aminoethyl acrylate, diethylaminoethyl acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, diethylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide, dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide, and diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.

Abstract: A method and construction for treatment of sludge from waterworks and wastewater treatment plants is disclosed. The method for treatment of sludge from waterwork or wastewater treatment plant, comprising precipitated inorganic chemical coagulants and precipitated organic substances, comprises adding an acid to the sludge in such a way that a first sludge mixture with low pH is received. The first sludge mixture includes the inorganic chemical coagulants in solution and the organic substances. The sludge mixture is pumped, via heat exchangers to a pressure tank. An obtained first concentrate is fed to at least one membrane filtration process in which a second concentrate and a first permeate are obtained.

Abstract: This is a reliable cost-effective adsorption based method for removing the dissolved and suspended organic matter by adding a natural “flocculent sorption particles” which is (Sodium, Calcium, Alumino silicate hydrated), and ferric Chloride, using a mixing tank. Heavy Macro-particles are formed that can be gravity separated and easily dewatered. The supernatant is first treated by OZONE to reduce the remaining organic pollutants and kill the bacteria, then filtered through a single layer of filter media. The suspended solids are mechanically strained down to 3-5 microns. The effluent water quality will be conform, or better, to the official water discharge standards.

Abstract: A system for enhancing an activated sludge process that includes at least one aeration tank subsystem for receiving a flow a wastewater and for introducing dissolved oxygen to a population of microorganisms to promote growth of biological flocs in a mixed liquor defined by a concentration of mixed liquor suspended solids. A weighting agent impregnation subsystem includes an impregnation tank for mixing the mixed liquor, virgin weighting agent, and recycled weighting agent to impregnate the weighting agent into biological flocs suspended in the mixed liquor to form weighted biological flocs. A flocculant injection port located downstream from at least one aeration tank for introducing a flocculant to the mixed liquor for enhancing settling and thickening of the weighted biological flocs and for providing agglomeration of non-impregnated biological flocs and/or partially impregnated biological flocs with weighted biological flocs.

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: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one metal compound and/or a component thereof from a mixture, said process comprising contacting the said mixture with a heteropoly acid or heteropoly acid anion, thereby producing a precipitate comprising the heteropoly acid or heteropoly acid anion and the metal compound and/or a component thereof. The present invention further relates to a process for the purification of a mixture containing at least one metal compound, said process comprising contacting the said mixture with a heteropoly acid or heteropoly acid anion, thereby producing a precipitate that is substantially insoluble in the said reaction mixture and recovering the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus and method of operation for the pretreatment of wastewater to remove and concentrate fats, oils, grease and settled solids using vacuum flotation and a clarifier and returning the pretreated wastewater to the source structure, tank or sewer system. The vacuum flotation process is enhanced by injecting hydrogen peroxide to increase the dissolved oxygen concentration and a cationic emulsion polymer as a coagulant to the wastewater prior to removal into the vacuum flotation tank by vacuum pumping.

Abstract: Among flocculating agents reacting in a neutral region and also leaving treated water also in neutral region, a flocculating agent is proposed, which can be used simply and may carry out effective cleaning of mud water in particular. A flocculating agent is proposed, which is a flocculating agent in powder form and exhibiting a pH of 5 to 9 when added to pure water, containing in a mixed state an acidic powder comprising porous particles obtained by adsorbing a metal constituent and an alkaline powder comprising porous particles obtained by adsorbing calcium phosphate.

Abstract: A method for removing silica from evaporator concentrate to facilitate disposal of the concentrate. An alkaline earth compound is mixed with the concentrate in a crystallizer. Silica in the concentrate reacts with the alkaline earth compound and precipitates from the concentrate as alkaline silicate complexes. The concentrate having the alkaline earth silicate complexes is directed to a separator where the alkaline earth silicate complexes are separated from the concentrate, producing an aqueous solution and slurry. The slurry is directed to a filter where solids are separated from a filtrate. Both the aqueous solution and the filtrate can be disposed of by deep well injection.

Abstract: A personally portable water purification compound prepared in unit dosage form such as tablets, packages and the like and having titanium dioxide (TiO2) in the form of fine particles, and adsorbed chlorine held at the surface of the titanium dioxide particles; and a titanium based coagulant; the compound being prepared in a plurality of unit dose size packages, for personal use by individuals. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a personally portable water purification compound consisting of the steps of heating titanium dioxide particles up to a temperature between about 260-500° C., passing a cold dry gaseous chlorine flow around the titanium dioxide particles; and cooling the titanium dioxide during the treatment.

Abstract: Pure halogen salts of alkaline and/or alkaline earth metals or a mixture thereof are prepared by (I) hydrolytically heating a suspension of 1 part by weight of a halogenic, organic waste material in a comminuted state in 1-10 parts by weight of an aqueous medium in the presence of a base to a temperature ranging from 200-300° C. at a pressure sufficient to maintain the water in a liquid state for a period of time sufficient to convert substantially all the organically bound halogen present to inorganic halides, and (II) separating the hydrolysate obtained in step (I) into a solid hydrolysate fraction and a liquid hydrolysate fraction, (III) neutralizing the liquid hydrolysate with hydrohalogenic acid, (IV) adding a flocculent to the neutralized hydrolysate; (V) separating the material from step (IV) into a solid containing fraction and an aqueous solution; and (VI) nanofiltering the aqueous solution to obtain a retentate and a permeate, wherein the permeate is further treated to obtain the pure salts.

Abstract: A water reaction tank for reacting water containing suspended solids with a flocculant includes a housing having an input, an output, and a water flow path between the input and the output. The flow path has a mixing section and a reaction section. Sealable flocculant ports are provided for inserting a flocculant into the mixing section of the housing. Each of the mixing section and the reaction section contains baffles. The mixing section baffles encourage turbulent flow to increase contact with the flocculant, and the reaction section baffles encourage turbulent flow and increase the length of the water flow path.

Abstract: A flocculant for separating and flocculating oily components and water components is provided so that no sludge is produced when the oily components and the water components contained in the emulsion having a high COD value; and the throughput of the active sludge is not decreased in the secondary treatment of the active sludge. A flocculant for separating and flocculing oily components and water components contained in oil-in-water type or water-in-oil type emulsion, comprises a unit (i), and at least one of units (ii) and (iii) represented by the following formulas: (i) —(C(R1R2)C(R3X))—, (ii) —(C(R4R5)C(R6Y))—, (iii) —(C(R7R8)C(R9Z))—; wherein X is a group having —SO3M, M is hydrogen or a metal element, Y is a group having a quaternary nitrogen atom, Z is an electrophilic group, each R1 to R9 is hydrogen or an alkyl group, and a ratio per molecule of these units (i):(ii):(iii) is (1 to 100):(1 to 100):(1 to 100).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a procedure for elimination of boron from sea-water by reverse osmosis membranes characterized 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 alkalinizing 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: A method is disclosed for separating a multiphase fluid stream comprising a heavier fluid component and a lighter fluid component, the method comprising causing the fluid to flow along a first helical flowpath, the first helical flowpath having a first pitch, the first helical flowpath being sufficiently long to establish a stabilised rotating fluid flow pattern for the stream causing the uniform rotating fluid to flow along a second helical flowpath, the second helical flowpath having a second pitch, wherein the second pitch is greater than the first pitch; and removing the lighter fluid from a radially inner region of the second helical flowpath. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed. The method and apparatus are particular suitable for the separation of oil droplets from water, especially from water for reinjection into a subterranean formation as part of an oil and gas production operation. The method and apparatus are conveniently applied on a modular basis.

Abstract: A product and apparatus for cleaning water or industrial and sewage waste water includes a mixture of diatomite that is heated and stirred to impart an enhanced negative electrical charge to the diatomite. A mixture of approximately 50% aluminium chloride (AlCl3) by volume is blended to provide a powder mixture for use as a flocculant in the system. According to a modification, the charged diatomite is instead blended with a mixture of approximately 50% ferric chloride (FeCl3) by volume and is stored in liquid form for later use as a flocculent in the system. From one to five percent, by volume, of polyacrylamide is preferably added to the mixture for use in sewage waste water treatment applications. An efficient system for reacting either the mixture or separately adding the diatomite and the metallic chloride to the water is described.

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 tailing solution.

Abstract: An improved system for processing a liquid manure and producing organic fertilizer includes equipment for separating various components of the liquid manure having different nitrogen to phosphorous ratios and then mixing these components so as to produce an organic fertilizer with a predetermined nitrogen to phosphorus ratio.

Abstract: A transformational approach to water treatment is provided that incorporates membrane-free filtration with dynamic processing of the fluid to significantly reduce treatment times, chemical cost, land use, and operational overhead. This approach provides hybrid capabilities of filtration, together with chemical treatment, as the water is transported through various spiral stages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating off coloring components from aqueous plant extracts in which magnesium ions (Mg2+) are added to the plant extract, at least one alkaline component is added to the plant extract, a precipitate is formed, and the precipitate formed is separated off from the plant extract.

Abstract: A treatment system including a vibratory mixer is disclosed. The vibratory mixer comprises a vibrating element to facilitate the dissolution of a treating agent that facilitates separation of solids from liquids in water and wastewater streams. Vibratory mixing energy that effects mixing is generated by utilizing magnetostrictive or piezoelectric materials.

Abstract: Methods for treating landfill leachate taught herein comprise: (a) coagulatively settling leachate; (b) filtering the resultant supernatant liquid through multistage cartridges; (c) filtering the filtered liquid by reverse osmosis; and (d) treating the resultant liquid with chlorine-based oxidant. These methods provide the advantages of efficient wastewater treatment, compact equipment size, short process flow, and low startup and operational costs.

Abstract: A lightweight water treatment system which can be easily distributed and employed by disaster survivors for treating locally available water sources. The lightweight water treatment system includes a water treatment agent for treating a predetermined volume of water collected from a local water source; a collapsible elongated container for collecting the predetermined volume of water; one or more straps to transport the collapsible elongated container to a suitable location for treating the collected water with the water treatment agent and a spigot for controllably releasing the treated water.

Abstract: A fuel filter for removing fuel impurities, particularly thiophenes, includes a hollow housing having a filter element therein. The filter element includes a substrate, which may include a nonwoven fiber web, a plurality of particles, or both of these. Where particles are used, the substrate may be homogeneous or may be a mixture of different particles. The substrate may include a sorbent selected from the group consisting of metals, metal oxides, metallic salts, organometallic compounds, catalysts, and oxidizing agents. Optionally, a sulfur-treating reactant may be operatively associated with the substrate to reduce the concentration of thiophenes in fuel passing through the filter.

Abstract: A system and process for removing contaminants from wastewater where the wastewater is treated into a cleaned water that can be reused or discharged into the environment. The wastewater is transported through purification sections, depending on the system including several of the following: pre-treatment via screening and weirs to remove debris and certain heavy solids; a second pretreatment via a sump; strainer; conductivity solution injection system and electrolytic coagulation system; polymer injection system; inline mixers for mixing the polymer in the wastewater stream; retention tubes for providing residence time for the polymer to react in the wastewater stream; a multi-stage separation system comprised of a plurality of water separation compartments for consecutively separating contaminants from the wastewater stream by removing contaminants that float and heavy contaminants that settle to the bottom; and an ozone treatment system.

Abstract: Chemically modified maleated fatty acid compositions and the salts thereof, especially chemically modified tall oil fatty acid containing compositions are useful in formulating corrosion inhibitors, as emulsifiers, as collectors in mining applications, and as cross-linking agents, such compositions find particular utility for petroleum-related applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to water-in-water polymer dispersions containing a polymer A with a cationic monomer fraction of up to 60 wt. % and at least one polymer dispersant B, based on cationised dialkylaminoalkyl (meth)acrylamides with an average molecular weight of between 75,000 and 350,000 g/mol. The invention also relates to a method for producing said dispersions and to the use of the latter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the purification of water, in particular to the removal of surfactants and optionally organic, inorganic and/or biological contaminants from water using adsorption filtration techniques.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for dewatering a mineral slurry concentrate and increasing the production of the resulting filter cake consisting essentially of mixing an aqueous mineral slurry concentrate with an effective amount of a nonionic surfactant and an effective amount of a cationic polymer to form a nonionic surfactant and cationic polymer treated aqueous mineral slurry concentrate, and subjecting the treated aqueous mineral slurry concentrate to a liquid water removal process for dewatering the treated aqueous mineral slurry and for increasing the production of a resulting filter cake of the dewatered mineral slurry. An improved mineral slurry concentrate composition and an improved mineral concentrate filter cake is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one metal compound and/or a component thereof from a mixture, said process comprising contacting the said mixture with a heteropoly acid or heteropoly acid anion, thereby producing a precipitate comprising the heteropoly acid or heteropoly acid anion and the metal compound and/or a component thereof. The present invention further relates to a process for the purification of a mixture containing at least one metal compound, said process comprising contacting the said mixture with a heteropoly acid or heteropoly acid anion, thereby producing a precipitate that is substantially insoluble in the said reaction mixture and recovering the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating suspended solid materials from aqueous systems, in which the latter is mixed with a flocculant made of polymer colloidal particles with cationic surface charge and subsequently the flocculated material is separated from the aqueous system.

Abstract: A method for removing helminth egg and other suspended solids from a wastewater stream includes directing the wastewater to a ballasted flocculation system and adding a coagulation agent, flocculation agent and a ballast into the wastewater. Sludge is settled from the wastewater in a settling tank at a rate of at least 10 meters per hour. The method further includes removing helminth egg by filtering the effluent through a fine screen having a mesh diameter of approximately 5 micrometers to approximately 25 micrometers. After passing through the fine screen, the filtered effluent has less than one helminth egg per liter.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating an aqueous system comprising contacting the aqueous system with a composition comprising a conversion agent. The methods of the present invention reduce the solubilized water hardness and/or reduce or inhibit scale formation in an aqueous system. Further, the methods of the present invention impact the chemistries needed in downstream cleaning processes employing water treated in accordance with the methods of the present invention.

Abstract: A method of removing arsenic and heavy metals from water using metal salt hydroxidegels 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 fluidized bed reactor (14) for removing phosphorus and nitrogen from wastewater has a column comprising a number of sections. (15A, 15B, 15C, 15D) The diameter of the column changes stepwise between the sections. A flow velocity in excess of 100 cm/min is maintained in a lowermost one of the sections and lower flow velocities are maintained in subsequent sections. A struvite supersaturation ratio is controlled in part by recycling wastewater from an outlet of the column. Struvite pellets are removed periodically from the bottom of the column.