Abstract: Paint detackifiers and/or sedimentation agents are provided which contain amorphous alumina and/or alumina in pseudoboehmite or boehmite form having an average crystallite size of from 0.1 to 15 nm and/or the hydrates and hydroxyalkylpolysaccharides thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for quickly inverting and dispersing a flocculant in an aqueous slurry to achieve settlement of solids and clarification of the slurry water. In particular, this invention relates to methods for quickly inverting a flocculant-containing emulsion in-line without significantly destabilizing the emulsion. The methods comprise dosing water with at least one water-in-oil emulsion containing at least one of a flocculent polymer and a hydrophilic surfactant and subjecting the water and emulsion to a high shear, turbulent reverse flow, such that the combination of the surfactant and shear synergistically inverts the emulsion, so the flocculant may be directly injected into the slurry. In an alternative embodiment, the emulsion is fed directly to the slurry to be treated and subjected to high shear, such that the emulsion inverts in situ, releasing the flocculant into the slurry for solids/liquid separation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for the treatment of liquid manure and wastewater produced in animal production plans. The method combined application of filtration, bioreaction, and electrochemical treatment to effect separation of contaminants from the water fraction.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for purification of water in which impurities in contaminated water can be removed with a reduced amount of flocculant and with high efficiency. The apparatus comprises, in the order from the side where contaminated water is introduced, an electrolysis tank (1) for electrolyzing the contaminated water, a gas mixing tank (2) for mixing carbon dioxide into the contaminated water electrolyzed, a coagulation tank (3) for mixing Fe3+ supplied from a flocculant producing device (7) to coagulate impurities in the contaminated water, and a floatation tank (4) for floating and separating the impurities coagulated. The electrolysis tank (1) electrolyzes the contaminated water to lower zeta potential of colloid particles in the contaminated water, and then the contaminated water is mixed with Fe3+ in the coagulation tank (3), thereby reducing the amount of positively charged Fe3+ to be added for neutralizing the colloid particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is an economical single stage membrane process intended to provide very high overall water recoveries from natural sources or wastewater containing high concentrations of hardness and other inorganic scale-forming compounds while preventing scale formation on the membrane and prolonging the useful life of the membrane. The water is first pre-treated in order to separate all suspended matter using a suitable oil separation device, dissolved air flotation, coagulation, flocculation, clarification, single or multi-media filtration, ultra-filtration, micro-filtration or a suitable combination of these pre-treatment steps. The pre-treated water is then purified using a simple, economical single stage membrane system operating at a suitable pressure depending on the water TDS and desired permeate recovery. In order to prevent scale formation on the membranes, the membrane concentrate is softened using a “low-cost” ion exchange softening resin with high selectivity for hardness precursors.

Abstract: A system and process for agglomerating and processing carbonaceous fines is provided. The process includes powdering the carbonaceous fines, mixing the powdered carbonaceous fines with an organic liquid creating a slurry, adding a predetermined amount of an aqueous electrolyte to the slurry creating agglomerated particles, settling the large agglomerated particles resulting in a settled mixture of agglomerated coal fines and reagent liquor, and separating the agglomerated coal fines from the reagent liquor.

Abstract: A polluted water purifier for collecting a pollutant present in polluted water by flocculating the pollutant with a flocculant has a mixer 5 for mixing the polluted water with the flocculant F and air, an agitator 18 for agitating the polluted water, containing the flocculant F and the air, that flows into a cylindrical agitation chamber 6 along the inner surface thereof by making the polluted water into a spiraling stream so that the flocks formed by the flocculant F hold bubbles, and a separator 10 and 19, connected to the agitator 18, for temporarily storing the polluted water and for separating the flocks holding the bubbles.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a filter clogged with flocculating materials is provided. The method comprises determining the flocculated materials clogged on the filter and adding a dispersing agent to break up said flocculated materials to form dispersed precipitates. Then the dispersed precipitates are removed from the filter in a regular cleaning such as backflushing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for treating an effluent comprising a mixture of spent wash and black liquor, said process comprising mixing the effluent with a flocculating agent consisting of a mixture of salts of Group III and transition metals, mixture of natural earth's along with an oxide of alkaline earth metal followed by treating with a combination of ion exchange resins.

Abstract: In order to provide a method for effectively separating red mud generated during alumina-extraction treatment of an alumina ore containing goethite as an iron component, the alumina ore containing goethite as an iron component is treated with an alkaline solution at 110-160° C., to thereby take up alumina components through extraction, and a settling aid formed of a water-soluble polymer including, as an effective component, a copolymer containing, as a monomer component, a vinylhydroxamic acid compound or a salt thereof (A) and having an average molecular weight of at least 12,000,000 is added to the resultant extract, to thereby settle the red mud for separation thereof.

Abstract: An algicide-flocculant solution for use in treating raw water in a municipal water plant to control algae, the algicide-flocculant solution including 25-50 wt % of an acidic flocculant, 0-10 wt % of a polymer flocculant aid, an algicide of essentially copper having a concentration of 0.025-1.25 wt % in the form of a water soluble capper salt, and balance water. Uniform mixing of the flocculant into the raw water simultaneously uniformly mixes the algicide of the algicide-flocculant solution into the raw water. The acidic flocculant is preferably aluminium sulfate, iron sulfate, iron chloride or mixtures thereof. The water soluble copper salt is preferably copper sulfate, copper chloride, copper nitrate, copper acetate or mixtures thereof. Moreover, the flocculant aid is a high molecular weight quaternary amine such as diallyldimethylammonium chloride.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for the treatment of water and wastewater. In one embodiment, a method of treating water according to the present invention includes mixing sludge and precipitant with the water to be treated, mixing ballast with the water, and separating the water into treated water and sludge. Some or all of the separated sludge may be recycled for mixing with the precipitant and water to be treated.

Abstract: A method of treating industrial wastewaters is provided. Specifically, the wastewater includes one or more organic contaminant materials and is pre-treated prior to filtering by the following steps The pH of the wastewater is adjusted to a pH in the range of about 2 to 6, and a combination of iron salts and peroxide are added to the wastewater and allowed to react for a period of at least about three minutes. Next, the pH of the wastewater is adjusted upwards to a value of at least 7 and precipitating or flocculating agents are added to form an insoluble contaminant bearing compound. The compound is then filtered from the wastewater thereby removing the contaminant materials from the wastewater. This invention is particularly suited for use with single pass flowthrough filters, and most particularly suitable for high flow rate single pass flow-through filters.

Abstract: A system to control nutrients, suspended algae, and filamentous algae in lakes, ponds, and estuaries includes a structure for containing macrophytic vegetation. One embodiment segregates a column of water within a body of water desired for remediation and shields the water column from sunlight sufficiently to kill phytoplankton therein, the lysis thereof releasing nutrients. The released nutrients are sequestered, and remediated water is replaced in the water column with water from the body of water. Floating or submerged macrophytes can be introduced in combination with shading and induced water movement to optimize nutrient uptake by the macrophytes. Water column shading may also be achieved by the macrophytes themselves, or by other means. The macrophytes can include floating aquatic plants, such as water hyacinths, submerged aquatic plants, by and terrestrial or aquatic plants caused to float artificially. The invention also deals with toxic algae in a safe and sequestered way.

Abstract: A process for treating contaminated liquid, in which the liquid to be treated is contacted with a charged polymeric material and with a second, oppositely charged polymeric material. The polymeric materials are soluble in the liquid, and at least one of the soluble polymeric materials is a branched polymeric material. Floc formation is allowed and the flocs are separated from the liquid. The first and second polymeric materials may be selected from the group consisting of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and polyhydroxy alcohols.

Abstract: A waste water treatment process for biologically removing phosphates incorporates a membrane filter. The process includes three zones, an anaerobic zone, an anoxic zone and an aerobic zone containing an anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic mixed liquor. Water to be treated flows first into the anaerobic zone. Anaerobic mixed liquor flows to the anoxic zone. Anoxic mixed liquor flows both back to the anaerobic zone and to the aerobic zone. The aerobic mixed liquor flows to the anoxic zone and also contacts the feed side of a membrane filter. The membrane filter treats the aerobic mixed liquor to produce a treated effluent lean in phosphorous, nitrogen, COD, suspended solids and organisms at a permeate side of the membrane filter and a liquid rich in rejected solids and organisms. Some or all of the material rejected by the membrane filter is removed from the process either directly or by returning the material rejected by the membrane filter to the anoxic or aerobic zones and wasting aerobic sludge.

Abstract: A process for treating aqueous waste comprising a copper plating waste stream, a copper rinse stream containing organic carbon and solid particles, and a copper chemical mechanical planarization stream (CMP) containing solid particles is provided. This process includes electrowinning the copper plating waste stream to remove copper and create a blow down stream, filtering the rinse stream to remove solid particles, adding the blow down stream to the CMP stream, treating the blow down stream and the CMP stream with a flocculant or coagulant to form larger solid particles, removing the larger solid particles from the CMP stream and separating the resulting stream into a liquid containing copper, a concentrated regenerant, and a dilute regenerant, adding the concentrated regenerant to the waste stream before the electrowinning step, adding the dilute regenerant to the rinse stream before filtering to remove solid particles, and adding the liquid containing copper to the CMP stream during the treating step.

Abstract: A process for the flocculation of impurities from clays in which the following steps are performed: blunging the clay with a dispersing agent or combination of dispersing agents in water to form an aqueous dispersion, treating the aqueous dispersion with at least one aliphatic or aromatic hydroxamic acid or salt conditioning agent, flocculating the conditioned dispersion with a water soluble or water dispersible organic polymer containing hydroxamic acid groups or salts thereof, and removing the flocculated impurities to form a purified clay dispersion.

Abstract: A pretreatment system and a pretreatment method for recycling exhaust water, for purifying exhaust water to a water quality acceptable to ordinary water-purification equipment, has advantages of small space occupation, low energy consumption, and lower cost. By providing a mixing piping with coarse interior, a series of closed micro continuous stirred tank reactors can be established inside the pipe to form plenty of turbulent regions for thoroughly mixing the chemical and the exhaust water. Flocculent gels that carry pollutants and particles of the exhaust water then can be removed by a filtering unit, for purifying the exhaust water. Also, by providing a modified silt density index, the pollution of a sample water can be clearly scaled and monitored.

Abstract: A remediation agent and process produces a treated water that meets discharge standards required by local regulations and generates stabilized waste which does not require further treatment prior to disposal. The composition of the treatment chemical is applicable to the treatment of industrial wastewaters and more specifically those from automobile production, metal finishing, metal processing, oil refineries, textiles, wood treatment, tannery, circuit board manufacturing, and other miscellaneous industrial waste streams from operations such as paints, coatings, adhesives, soap and detergents, chemicals, and food processing.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a cationic terpolymer comprising (a) a first monomer unit selected from acrylamide and methacrylamide; (b) a second monomer unit selected from dimethylaminoethyl acrylate methyl chloride quaternary salt, 3-(acrylamido)propyltrimethylammonium chloride, 3-(methacrylamido)propyltrimethylammonium chloride, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate methyl chloride quaternary salt, dimethylaminoethyl acrylate dimethylsulfate quaternary salt, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate dimethylsulfate quaternary salt, diethylaminoethyl acrylate methyl chloride quaternary salt and diethylaminoethyl acrylate dimethylsulfate quaternary salt; and (c) a third monomer unit selected from benzyl methacrylate, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl acrylate, acrylamide diacetone, N-phenylacrylamide, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl acrylate and poly(propylene glycol)methacrylate. The terpolymer is useful for dewatering a variety of sludges.

Abstract: The invention comprises a borosilicate retention aid composition and a method for improving the production of paper by addition of the borosilicate. The borosilicate may be utilized in conjunction with a high molecular weight synthetic flocculant and/or starch, with or without the addition of a cationic coagulant. The borosilicate material is preferably a colloidal borosilicate. Methods for the preparation of the borosilicate material are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating wastewater including a physical-chemical reactor; a chemical supply operably connected to the physical-chemical reactor; a clarifier operably connected to and located downstream of the physical-chemical reactor; a ballast recirculation line operably connected between the clarifier and the high rate physical-chemical reactor; and a control system that directs a) influent into 1) the clarifier but not the physical-chemical reactor when flow or pollutants of the influent is within a selected low range and 2) the physical-chemical reactor and then into the clarifier when the flow/pollutants of influent is within a selected higher range and b) internally generated ballast into the physical-chemical reactor through the ballast recirculation line when the pollutants and/or flow is within the selected higher range.

Abstract: The special features of the water treatment apparatus in the present invention are that a tank fitted with a raw water inlet and a treated water outlet on the upper part, has within said tank an upper chamber and lower chamber which divide said tank into two sections, upper and lower, and is fitted with a separating wall which can be raised and lowered to adjust the water level in said upper and lower chamber, the upper chamber above said separating wall and the lower chamber below said separating wall both being filled with water. By use of this apparatus, a novel water treatment apparatus is provided which can be extremely easily assembled into a water treatment facility.

Abstract: Process for removing heavy metal ions from aqueous media, characterized in that, to precipitate out the heavy metal ions, a sulphide precipitation is carried out in the presence of iron oxide.

Abstract: An osmosis or reverse osmosis process is improved by addition of a clathrate forming guest material in a solution to be purified. Addition of clathrate forming guest material to a solution to be filtered by reverse osmosis results in higher flow of permeate at lower pressure.

Abstract: A partially soluble lanthanide compound and methods for use in removing phosphate from water. Preferably the compound is used in removing phosphate from water in swimming pools, spas, and similar structures. Alternatively, a combination of compounds having varying solubilities may be used to remove phosphate from water. Several water treatment techniques are disclosed, as well as a variety of different methods for delivery of the active ingredients. These delivery methods include use of a slurry of the active reagent in solution as well as a tablet, powder, or granulated structure. Additionally, the water treatment techniques may incorporate the use of a combination including both enzymatic compositions and compounds for phosphate removal.

Abstract: A method and system for removing heavy metals from wastewaters is provided wherein the wastewaters are pre-treated with a polymeric metal removing agent to assist in the removal of the heavy metals. The polymeric metal removing agent promotes the precipitation of large particles which may then be filtered by a high flow rate, low pressure filtration system.

Abstract: A method for removing a solute from a fluid using magnetically conditioned coagulation includes magnetically conditioning the fluid by applying a conditioning magnetic field to enhance the precipitation of solute particles for coagulation; adding a coagulant to the fluid before, during, or after application of the conditioning magnetic field to coagulate the increased available solute particles to form colloids; and collecting the colloids for removal from the fluid.

Abstract: A method for treating silicone emulsion waste includes the steps of adding base chemical materials to the silicone emulsion waste in an amount effective to cause separating of the silicone emulsion waste. The added chemicals separate the silicone emulsion waste into silicone oil and an emulsion-free water. The components can be separated, with the silicone oil laden liquid being recycled and the emulsion-free water being sent to a wastewater treatment plant. The base chemicals can include sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium chloride and/or combinations thereof. To enhance separating of the silicone emulsion waste, the silicone emulsion waste can be heated prior to the addition of the chemicals. Also, by recycling the treated water and adding the same to the silicone emulsion waste and base chemicals separation of the silicone emulsion waste can be enhanced.

Abstract: An improved process for the selective flocculation of impurities from clays is disclosed. The process comprises blunging the clay in the presence of dispersing agents, conditioning the blunged clay with aliphatic or aromatic hydroxamic acids, or salts thereof, flocculating the impurities with a high molecular weight polymeric flocculant, particularly polymers containing hydroxamate groups, and removing the flocculated impurities from the unflocculated clay. The use of hydroxamic conditioning agents improves the removal of impurities from the clay, thereby providing a clay product having high brightness and low level impurities. The hydroxamic acid conditioning agents may advantageously be used in combination with other conditioning additives and with a wide variety of polymeric flocculating agents.

Abstract: A method treats process water containing metal ions, in connection with bleaching of lignocellulosic pulp. The method is characterized by the steps of a) adjusting the Mg2+ content of the process water to form a flocculating base for metals and an organic substance; b) supplying a carbonate source to the process water to precipiate calcium as calcium carbonate; c) increasing the pH of the process water by adding white liquor to precipipate metals such as metal hydroxides; d) adding a flocculating agent to the process water; and e) separating the precipitated, flocculated metal compounds from the process water by flotation.

Abstract: Coagulated particles having a low water content are separated and recovered from an emulsified dispersion of fluorine-containing polymer particles. A solid-liquid separation method comprising: a step for adding a coagulant in an emulsified dispersion of fluorine-containing polymer particles to coagulate the fluorine-containing polymer particles with stirring and obtain a slurry of coagulated particles, a step for filtrating the slurry, and a step for pressing the obtained cake. It is preferable to continuously carry out the filtration step and pressing step with a filter press or a belt press. Also a washing step may be provided after the filtration step.

Abstract: A process wherein an aqueous solution of amidoalkane sulfonic acid monomer, described hereafter, the homopolymer of such monomer, the co-polymer or the salt of said monomer or homopolymer, or polyacrylamide polymer, is admixed with the fluids or solids to be cleaned. Thus, solids and fatty acids are flocculated in the completion and workover fluids, hydrocarbon fluids, halogenated hydrocarbon fluids, amines, solvents, glycols, potassium carbonate and other gas processing fluids. The oil free particulate solids as well as the produced waters are thereby rendered environmentally acceptable for discharge to the environment. Hydrocarbon fluids are rendered suitable for storage while the other fluids such as completion and workover fluids are rendered suitable for reuse.

Abstract: A water soluble copper salt, preferably cupric sulfate pentahydrate, is mixed with water. A small quantity of an acidic flocculant is added to the copper sulfate solution to acidify the water and promote dissolving of the copper sulfate in the water. A 25-50% water solution of an acidic flocculant, with or without a cationic polymeric flocculant aid, is prepared and pumped into a processing vessel or tank. The acidified copper sulfate solution is added to the tank and mixed with the acidic flocculant. The algicide-flocculant solution is transported to a municipal water plant and added to raw water in the clarifier to drop out particulates in the incoming water and control algae in the clarifier.

Abstract: A process for the removal of dissolved metals and/or metalloids from an aqueous medium having a high content of salt wherein the aqueous medium in the presence of manganese (II) ions and an oxidation agent is passed through a particulate carrier material having a specified density, initial average grain size and flow rate, so as to fluidize carrier material particles in the aqueous medium, and whereby the coated material particles thereby formed are separated from the aqueous medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating water by the addition of coagulants comprising the steps of measuring the two parameters of the color and turbidity of the untreated water, determining the control parameter on the basis of the measurement results obtained and determining a control action based upon the determined control parameter and subsequently implementing the selected control action.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of cationic water-soluble polymers are provided, as well as processes for making and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A method for removing the oxy-anions of selenium from FGD scrubber purge water. The purge water is contacted with free hydroxyl radicals to effect oxidation of reduced forms of sulfur to sulfate and the destruction of sulfur-nitrogen compounds present in the purge water. The purge water is then subjected to chemical reduction and co-precipitation of selenium with an amount of ferrous ions effective to remove the oxy-anions of selenium in the liquid in less than 30 minutes of reaction time. The resultant ferrous-selenium solids generated are separated and stabilized to elemental selenium in a separate reaction vessel.

Abstract: An improved process for the beneficiation of mixtures of mineral particles (such as kaolin clays) containing minerals which chelate with hydroxamates. The use of a silicon-containing compound in combination with a hydroxamate results in a more effective separation of minerals which chelate with the hydroxamate.

Abstract: A method of coagulating particulates, as in papermaking or water clarification applications, for example, is provided wherein a zeolite crystalloid coagulant is added to water containing the solid matter, a source of multivalent cations, and a cationic acrylamide polymer. The zeolite crystalloid coagulant is preferably prepared by admixing aqueous sodium silicate and sodium aluminate solutions to form a reaction mixture and allowing a reaction to proceed for a sufficient time to form a zeolite crystalloid coagulant particles having particle sizes of at least about 4 nm before terminating the reaction.

Abstract: A process and a device for the treatment of water, especially for removing therefrom a large variety of pollutants, especially organic, inorganic and biological pollutants through in situ generation of ozone. Ozone is economically produced in situ at a high concentration through the interaction of electrolytically produced oxygen and UV light having a wavelength of 189 nm. The device has a set of anode and cathode for electrolytically producing nascent oxygen which reacts with UV light at a wavelength of 189 nm to produce ozone “in situ” within a vessel where the polluted water is submitted to the combinative action of ozone and other oxidation reactions. The device also has a hydrocyclone or retention tank of removing cationic pollutants such as heavy metals, free radicals as well as undesirable electrolysis byproducts such as nascent hydrogen through a secondary outlet.

Abstract: Stable suspensions can be made from acidic metal salt solutions and finely divided acid-insoluble solid particles that have a particle size of less than twenty-five microns, preferably less than ten microns, and most preferably, about one micron. These suspensions can be used to treat surface waters to remove organic materials therefrom. The suspension forms a floc that includes the solid particles and organic materials, which floc rapidly settles out of solution, leaving purified water as the supernatant liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of wastewater effluent from a laundromat combines multiple filtering, particularly including, bag filters, to remove particulates including fine particulates followed by treatment in a weak base anion exchange resin bed to remove MBAS. The weak base resin was found to remove MBAS and organics such as LAS which were highly de-adsorbed in the efficient regeneration of the resin. The weak base anion exchange resin is preferably macroporous in the sulfate form. The invention contemplates multiple bag filters of different degrees of coarseness.

Abstract: A composition for the detackification and clarification of acid and alkaline paint and lacquer waste waters and paint spray booth wastes, comprising:an inorganic-organic and/or organic adduct alloy polymer composition having the formula:A.multidot.B.sup.+ .multidot.D.sup.+wherein: A=[(SiO.sub.2 /Me.sup.I.sub.2 O).sub.u Me.sup.II.sub.m Me.sub.m.sup.III(OH).sbsp.p.sup.(SO.sbsp.4.sup.).sbsp.y.sup.(Aci) (2m+3n)-p-2y].sub.rwhere r=1 to 98% bw; u=0 to 10% bw; ##STR1## where: x=0 to 98% bw; Z is a divalent substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic radicalD.sup.+ =(PQAM).sub.wwherew=2 to 98% b.w. of polyquaternized polymer (PQAM)Me.sub.m.sup.II is selected from the divalent cationic group comprising: Mg, Zn, Ca, and Fe.sup.2+m=0 to 5Me.sub.n.sup.III is a tri-or more valent metal selected from the group comprising: Fe, Al, and Al--Zn complexes;n=1 to 20Aci is selected from the monovalent anionic group comprising Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, NO.sub.3 --, H.sub.2 PO.sub.4 --, CH.

Abstract: A method for treating phosphate-containing waste water comprising treating phosphate-containing waste water with a metal hydroxide complex as a phosphate adsorbent represented by formula (1):M.sub.1-x.sup.2+ M.sub.x.sup.3+ (OH.sup.-).sub.2+x-y (A.sup.n-).sub.y/n(1)wherein M.sup.2+ represents at least one divalent metal ion selected from the group consisting of Mg.sup.2+, Ni.sup.2+, Zn.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+ and Cu.sup.2+, M.sup.3+ represents at least one trivalent metal ion selected from the group consisting of Al.sup.3+ and Fe.sup.3+, A.sup.n- represents n-valent anion, 0.1.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5, 0.1.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.5 and n is 1 or 2 to adsorb phosphate is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for concentrating bacteria from a viscous biological sample. The methods involve adding to the sample a water-soluble, density-lowering agent having a density of 0.7 to 0.9 g/ml and a boiling point greater than 50.degree. C. The invention also relates to methods for concentrating bacteria and free bacterial nucleic acids from a biological sample that involve mixing with the sample a density-lowering agent and a monovalent salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dewatering of an aqueous slurry of calcium carbonate. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of non-ionic surfactants in dewatering aqueous slurries of an aragonitic precipitated calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate slurries dewatered using the non-ionic surfactants of the present invention have higher weight percent solids, decreased dispersant demand, and result in higher productivity.

Abstract: A flocculant composition includes an aqueous solution of a mixture of titanyl sulfate or titanium tetrachloride with a water-soluble, neutral alkali or alkaline earth metal salt at a titanium to alkali or alkaline earth metal salt ratio calculated as TiO.sub.2 of from 0.25:1 to 0.0002:1 by weight. The flocculant composition may further contain a water soluble iron salt at a titanium to iron ratio calculated as TiO.sub.2 and Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 of from 1:1 to 40:1 by weight, or a water-soluble zirconium salt at a titanium to zirconium ratio calculated as TiO.sub.2 and ZrO.sub.2 of from 1:1 to 40:1 by weight, or a water soluble aluminum salt at a titanium to aluminum ratio calculated as TiO.sub.2 and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 of from 1:1 to 40:1 by weight.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-stage high pressure high recovery process utilizing two reverse osmosis membrane systems intended to provide very high overall water recoveries from contaminated inorganic scale-containing water in an economical manner while preventing scale formation on the membrane and prolonging the useful life of the membrane. The first stage of the process involves using a low pressure membrane system to preconcentrate scale compounds while purifying the bulk volume of the scale-containing water (using antiscalants with pH control) and combining the influent water with a recycle stream of concentrate from the second stage membrane process in order to prevent scale formation. This first stage membrane system is followed by a second stage membrane system wherein the concentrate from the first stage membrane system is treated further at higher pressure in order to provide purification of the remaining preconcentrated stream and achieve very high overall water recoveries.