Regulating Ph Patents (Class 210/724)
  • Patent number: 6083404
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for dewatering difficult sludges, such as autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion sludges. The method incorporates a three-component treatment system. Initially, the difficult sludge is dosed with an inorganic coagulant and then the resulting sludge-inorganic mixture is dosed with a microparticle component. Lastly, the resulting mixture is dosed with a high molecular weight flocculant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Nalco Chemical Company
    Inventors: Anthony G. Sommese, Jitendra Shah
  • Patent number: 6042730
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating wastewater effluent from a commercial car wash provides for collecting and holding the effluent in a first tank for equalization and to a pH of about 7.0 to 9.5, and then transferring the equalized wastewater to a second tank for either caustification or acidification to a first predetermined pH of up to 10.0, and preferably 8.2 to 8.6, and most preferably 8.4, and then adding a coagulant, preferably a polyaluminum chloride (PAC) with a basicity of 45 to 50% at 400 to 600 ppm, to a second predetermined pH of 6.2 to 7.0 and preferably 6.6 to 7.0, and most preferably 6.8, to effect coagulation at the second pH to form treated water and a sludge. The treated water is decanted from the sludge and filtered to remove 1 to 50 micron particulates. The filtered water is acidified and then passed through a weak base anion exchange resin to remove MBAS to provide treated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventor: William J. Lahti
  • Patent number: 6027543
    Abstract: A method for removing a heavy metal from sludge, including the step of putting the sludge into contact with a treating liquid to dissolve the heavy metal contained in the sludge into the treating liquid. The treating liquid is formed of either A or B, where (A) is an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid, and (B) is an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid containing at least one of B1 and B2, where (B1) is at least one acid other than phosphoric acid, and (B2) is at least one oxidant. The concentration of the phosphoric acid in the treating liquid is 3% by weight or more. Alternatively, the sludge is put into contact with the treating liquid at a temperature of 40.degree. C. or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Shiro Yoshizaki
    Inventors: Shiro Yoshizaki, Tahei Tomida
  • Patent number: 5993737
    Abstract: The invention provides for the treatment of raw water having a pH of 2.5 to 9, an alkalinity of at most 50 mg/l expressed as calcium carbonate, a calcium content of at most 100 mg/l expressed as calcium carbonate, and a positive calcium carbonate dissolution potential. The process comprises separating part of the water from the remainder thereof and acidifying the part to increase its calcium carbonate dissolution potential. The acidified water is then fed through a bed of particles comprising calcium carbonate where the water consumes part of the calcium carbonate thereby increasing the calcium content and the alkalinity of the water which issues from the bed. The water issuing from the bed is then mixed with the remainder of the raw water to obtain an at least partially treated product water having a positive calcium carbonate dissolution potential which is at least 2 mg/l calcium carbonate less than that of the raw water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Implico B.V.
    Inventors: Grant S. Mackintosh, Hendrik A. De Villiers
  • Patent number: 5993667
    Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient and highly effective method of removing dissolved selenium from a variety of refinery process water and wastewater streams. The present invention also provides a new and effective method of oxidizing selenium and organo-selenium compounds to the selenite [+IV] oxidation state in order to be adsorbed by a metal oxide or metal hydroxide precipitate. The invention includes two continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSTR) operated in series. The stream to be treated and one of several iron salts (ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, etc.) are introduced into the first CSTR, forming ferric hydroxide and ferric oxyhydroxide precipitates. The pH of the first CSTR is automatically controlled by adjusting the injection rate of the ferric salt. The effluent stream from the first CSTR is directed into a second CSTR into which potassium permanganate is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Steven D. Overman
  • Patent number: 5976372
    Abstract: A method of treating a biomass comprising liquid manure from animal husbandry containing heavy metals, the method comprising the steps of subjecting the biomass to an anaerobic microbial degradation to form a biogas containing i.e. hydrogen sulphide gas, conveying at least a part of the biogas through at least a part of the microbially degraded biomass to precipitate the heavy metals as metal sulphides and separating the resulting mixture in a precipitate and a supernatant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Niels Ole Vesterager
  • Patent number: 5961837
    Abstract: Water to be utilized is reacted with soda ash and lime to produce a less corrosive and foulant water. Reaction sludges are fed to a desulfurization unit, where SO.sub.x, NO.sub.x and CO.sub.2 abatement occurs; other industrial waste sludges and/or waters and/or gases can also be utilized in such connection. FIG. 1 is one of the possible process schemes of present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventors: Marcello Ferrara, Maria Gabriella Scopelliti
  • Patent number: 5958240
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating waste water to generate clarified water for reuse in industrial processes which includes the steps of adding agents to the waste stream to generate floccules, aerating the waste stream to cause a portion of the floccules to float, decanting floating floccules and lighter than water immiscible pollutants from the top surface of the waste stream, directing the waste stream through an incline clarifier so as to permit heavier than water floccules to form sludge in a bottom region of the clarifier. Sludge and decanted pollutants are sent to a bioremediation tank where hydrocarbons are decomposed and the remaining sludge is dewatered and compacted to a solid condition for disposal in a public waste facility. The clarified water is transferred to a steam generator or pressurized water delivery system for reuse. The invention is particularly useful for equipment cleaning operations such as in truckyards or airports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Timothy L. Hoel
  • Patent number: 5954969
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for producing a commercially usable iron oxide material by treating iron contaminated water. A clean effluent is also produced. Iron contaminated water is sampled to determine a bicarbonate to iron molar ratio. The flow of the water is directed to a collection basin assembly when the bicarbonate to iron molar ratio is at least 2 to 1. Iron oxide material precipitates in the collection basin assembly. The water from the collection basin assembly is directed to a constructed wetland. After a period of time, the iron oxide material in the collection basin assembly can be harvested and used for commercial purposes without excessive further treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Robert S. Hedin
  • Patent number: 5948269
    Abstract: Nuisance concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and other malodorous compounds are controlled in liquid and sludge waste systems by adding alkaline iron. The process removes immediate sulfide and suppresses the formation of further nuisance sulfide with a single application. As the sulfide and other malodors are being mitigated in this process, alkalinity is added to the waste as a reaction by-product, which acts to increase the waste pH, decreasing corrosivity and promoting biological treatability and purification of the waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Michael D. Stone
  • Patent number: 5932109
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling water used in plating processes to eliminate discharge of pollutants including a plating tank for chrome plating selected materials, at least one rinse tank which holds rinse water where parts from the plating tank are rinsed to remove chrome compounds used in the plating tank and transfer means to transfer water from the rinse tank to a purification tank where hydrazine is added to the rinse water in quantities sufficient to maintain selected pH in the water returned to one of the rinse tanks for precipitation of the chromic compounds to chromic hydroxide which can be easily filtered for disposal as a dry material. High quality water such as deionized water is added to the rinse tank to makeup lost water and a catalyst such as cobalt salt can be added to the purification tank to assist in reduction of the chromic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Griffin Chemical Company
    Inventor: Gus Griffin
  • Patent number: 5925256
    Abstract: The present invention concerns the treatment of an aqueous effluent and consists of ridding it of the iron which it contains, notably in the form of a complex. The method according to the invention consists of treating this effluent by successively a silicate, and a magnesium and aluminium hydroxycarbonate, then decanting and filtering. The method according to the invention is particularly useful in the treatment of photographic effluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Philippe Strauel
  • Patent number: 5914046
    Abstract: The method of reducing the acidity in effluent discharges comprises charging the effluent with carbon dioxide, intermittently fluidizing and expanding at least one pulsed limestone bed with the charged effluent, treating the charged effluent with the limestone in the bed, displacing the limestone treated effluent with untreated charged effluent, stripping excess carbon dioxide from the effluent after treatment in the limestone bed, and discharging the limestone treated effluent. The method includes treating the charged effluent in the limestone beds for preferably at least two minutes, more preferably about 4 to 8 minutes. The step of intermittently fluidizing and expanding at least one pulsed limestone bed with the charged effluent includes generally concurrently intermittently fluidizing and expanding at least one other pulsed limestone bed with charged effluent, so that each limestone bed is expanded and fluidized alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventor: Barnaby J. Watten
  • Patent number: 5910234
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for working up the alcohol-containing wastewater which is obtained in the hydrolysis of silanes of the general formula IR.sup.1.sub.a SiCl.sub.b (OR.sup.2).sub.4-a-b (I),whereR.sup.1 are hydrogen atoms or identical or different monovalent, unsubstituted or halogen-substituted, SiC-bonded C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 -hydrocarbon radicals,R.sup.2 are identical or different monovalent C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -hydrocarbon radicals,a is 0, 1, 2 or 3, on average from 0.3 to 1.9, andb is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, on average from 0.0 to 3.0,with the proviso that the sum a+b is on average at most 3.5, for the preparation of silicone resins, wherein, in the first step, the wastewater is made alkaline by addition of alkali and, in the second step, the alcohol is removed from the resulting alkaline solution or suspension by injection of steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Wacker-Chemie GmbH
    Inventors: Konrad Mautner, Erwin Schuhbeck
  • Patent number: 5908559
    Abstract: A method for recovering and separating precious and non-precious metals from waste streams, which removes, separates, and recovers such metals in a cost effective manner with more than 95% removal from waste streams and with minimal amounts of unprocessed solids and sludge remaining in the environment. Metals such as chromium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, silver, gold, platinum, vanadium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, barium, lead, aluminum, tin; and the like are removed and recovered from the waste streams with at least 95% removal and other metals and compounds, such as antimony, sulfur, and selenium are removed and recovered from waste streams with at least 50% removal. The method employs a unique complexing agent comprising a carbamate compound and an alkali metal hydroxide which facilitates the formation of the metals into ionic metal particles enabling them to be readily separated, removed and recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: Lawrence Kreisler
  • Patent number: 5906749
    Abstract: A method for recovering metals from solutions is described. A particular embodiment of the method concerns recovering copper metal from aqueous solutions containing copper ions, such as ammoniacal circuit-board etching solutions. A working embodiment of the invention includes first treating a solution containing copper ions with a sufficient amount of an acid to obtain a solution pH of from about 1 to less than about 2.5. A reducing metal, such as iron, is then added to the solution to precipitate metal ions as metals. The reducing metal has a mesh size of about 230 or greater. The metal precipitate is recovered from the solution. The method is generally sufficiently efficient to allow discharge of solutions treated according to the method of the invention into public waste waters wherein the solution has less than about 5 ppm, and preferably less than 2 ppm, metal ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Great Western Chemical Company
    Inventor: Daniel G. Bolser
  • Patent number: 5897784
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for treating swimming pool waters in order to remove one or more nutrients necessary for algal growth and to accelerate the breakdown of objectionable chloramines within chlorinated pool waters. The target nutrients of preference are those containing phosphorus or nitrogen. Phosphorus nutrients are preferably removed by ion-exchange with finely divided lanthanum carbonate, or by direct precipitation in the pool with liquid lanthanum chloride. Nitrogen nutrients (including, in particular, chloramines) may be removed (possibly with the aid of catalysts and in separate reactors). The same reagents used to scavenge phosphates are useful in this regard, the nitrogen being released from the pool water as a nitrogenous gas. To allow the fine lanthanum carbonates to be conveniently handled in the pool environment, they may be linked to larger carrier particles, such as those of diatomaceous earth, or they may be embedded within porous beads formed from polymers or gels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Dudley John Mills
  • Patent number: 5888404
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating waste water sludge comprising at least one metal originating from a waste water treatment coagulant, and phosphorus and heavy metals in order to recover said at least one metal and phosphorus and to discharge said heavy metals. In this method said waste water sludge is acidified to dissolve metals contained in the sludge thereby yielding an acidified sludge solution containing at least 1% by weight of at least one metal to be recovered. In a first precipitation stage the pH of said acidified sludge solution is raised to precipitate at least one metal to be recovered as a phosphate, and thereafter the phosphate precipitate is separated, thereby leaving a solution comprising heavy metals. In a second precipitation stage the pH of said solution comprising heavy metals is raised and, if necessary, an appropriate chemical is added to precipitate heavy metals, and thereafter the precipitate is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Kemira Kemi Ab
    Inventor: Simo Jokinen
  • Patent number: 5879562
    Abstract: A multi-stage process is provided for treating a water to reduce its hardness. The feed water is initially heated to a thermal reaction temperature in a heating stage. The heated water is then maintained at or near the thermal reaction temperature for a sufficient residence time to thermally react the water, producing a first portion of a scale from the scale-forming ions in the water while discharging dissolved gases from the water. After the thermal reaction stage, one or more chemical additives in the form of a hydroxide ion donor and optionally a bicarbonate ion donor are added to the heated water in a chemical reaction stage. The chemical additive is chemically reacted with the water in the chemical reaction stage, producing a second portion of the scale from the scale-forming ions in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: Charles F. Garbutt
  • Patent number: 5879563
    Abstract: A process is provided for treating a water to reduce its hardness by performing a series of sequential stages including a primary chemical reaction stage, a secondary chemical reaction stage and a scale removal stage. The primary chemical reaction stage includes the steps of adding a first hydroxide ion donor in the form of lime to an initial water having an initial hardness and reacting the first hydroxide ion donor to form a first portion of a scale and an intermediate water having an intermediate hardness substantially less than the initial hardness. The secondary chemical reaction stage includes the steps of adding a second hydroxide ion donor in the form of caustic to the intermediate water and reacting the second hydroxide ion donor to form a second portion of the scale and a product water having a product hardness substantially less than the intermediate hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: Charles F. Garbutt
  • Patent number: 5866014
    Abstract: Arsenic and TOC are removed from drinking water or wastewaters by use of finely-divided metallic iron in the presence of powdered elemental sulfur or other sulfur compounds such as manganese sulfide, followed by an oxidation step. A premix may be produced for this process, by adding the iron, sulfur and oxidizing agent to water in a predetermined pH range. The iron and sulfur are mixed for a period of time dependent upon the temperature and pH of the water and the presence of complexing or sequestering minerals and organic acids in the water. An oxidizing agent is added to the mixture and agitating is continued. In a preferred embodiment the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide. Water is decanted from the mixture after a sufficient reaction time, to produce a concentrated premix. This premix can be added to water intended for drinking or to industrial effluents containing toxic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Peter F. Santina
  • Patent number: 5863442
    Abstract: A process for the processing of spent photographic baths of black and white processes, namely developing baths with a preponderant content of alkali sulphite, particularly sodium sulphite, and fixing baths with a preponderant content of thiosulphates, particularly ammonium thiosulphate and/or sodium thiosulphate is proposed and is characterized in that following the deposition of the silver contained in the baths, the spent fixing baths are brought to a pH of approximately 0.5 with concentrated HCl and the elementary sulphur resulting from the decomposition of the thiosulphates is separated, whilst the remaining sulphurous acid intermediate solution is mixed with the spent developing baths and adjusted to a pH of approximately 2 and the resulting, SO.sub.2 -supersaturated solution is heated and pure SO.sub.2 is drawn off in a vacuum. Finally, the residual solution is adjusted to a pH of approximately 10 with Ca(OH).sub.2 and the liberated ammonia is drawn off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Roger Noero
  • Patent number: 5853598
    Abstract: A process for treating waste water of flue gas desulfurization comprising successively adjusting the pH of the waste water to 5 or less, bringing the waste water into contact with a column packed with fine particles of iron, flocculating the waste water, removing formed flocs from the waste water by solid-liquid separation, and optionally, bringing the remaining waste water into contact with a resin for COD adsorption, successively. Hazardous substances, such as oxidative substances, peroxosulfuric acid, iodic acid, heavy metals such as copper and lead, and non-metallic substances such as selenium compounds and fluorites, can be removed simultaneously and efficiently from the waste water of flue gas desulfurization containing these hazardous substances by using the process which is a simplified waste water disposal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Kurita Water Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ogoshi, Yohka Tsurumaru, Hisao Tsuboya, Tsukasa Watanabe, Masao Enami
  • Patent number: 5851405
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing vinasse suitable for a column process, in which process dilute vinasse is clarified by means of a high-efficiency centrifuge, after which the vinasse is concentrated and potassium is removed. The invention also relates to the vinasse and the potassium sulphate crystals prepared with the above-described process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Cultor Oy
    Inventors: Hannu Paananen, Mirja Lindroos, Tapio Viljava, Pertti Walliander
  • Patent number: 5846436
    Abstract: Tannin containing polymers, their method of production and methods of using as water treatment agents are disclosed. The polymers are aldehyde-free and comprise copolymers of tannin and a cationic monomer. Another embodiment comprises aldehyde-free polymers of tannin, cationic monomer and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of an anionic monomer and a nonionic monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.
    Inventors: Jen-Chi Chen, Fu Chen, Gerald C. Walterick, Jr., Stephen R. Vasconcellos
  • Patent number: 5846434
    Abstract: An in-situ groundwater remediation pump and treat technique effective for reclamation of aquifers that have been contaminated with a mixed, metal-containing waste, which promotes selective mobilization of metal oxide colloids with a cationic surfactant, preferably a quaternary alkylammonium surfactant, without significantly reducing formation permeability that often accompanies large-scale colloid dispersion, thus increasing the efficiency of the remediation effort by enhancing the capture of strongly sorbing contaminants associated with the oxide phases. The resulting suspension can be separated from the bulk solution with controlled pH adjustments to destabilize the oxide colloids, and a clear supernatant which results that can be recycled through the injection well without further waste treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: University of Georgia Research Foundation
    Inventors: John C. Seaman, Paul M. Bertch
  • Patent number: 5843320
    Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of cationic water-soluble polymers are provided, as well as processes for making and methods of using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Cytec Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Sun-Yi Huang, Louis Rosati, Joseph J. Kozakiewicz
  • Patent number: 5840194
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for treating arsenic-containing waste water, comprising adding an oxidizing agent, if necessary, to arsenic-containing waste water to oxidize trivalent arsenic in the waste water into pentavalent arsenic; adding a calcium compound to adjust the pH to 12 or higher; separating it into solid and liquid (first solid/liquid separation); calcining the resulting sludge, while adding a ferric salt to the treated solution to adjust the pH to 6-9 after the solid/liquid separation; and separating it into solid and liquid (second solid/liquid separation). According to the present invention, it is possible to remove arsenic from waste water efficiently to yield treated water satisfying various tolerance limits under various regulations, while the arsenic-containing sludge separated from the waste water can become harmless in subsequent continuous steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Yokose, Hiroshi Fujita, Koosoo Tao, Hiroshi Baba, Hideki Kamiyoshi, Ranko Shikai
  • Patent number: 5840191
    Abstract: A process for the decontamination of a medium including a particulate material contaminated with one or more organic species and one or more metal species, the process including the steps of: (1) treating said medium by breaking down the organic species by or through the action of microbial agents, (2) treating the medium with microbially produced sulfuric acid so as to solubilize and leach the metal species as a metal sulfate, (3) treating the leached metal sulfate by a bioprecipitation process which converts the said sulfate into one or more insoluble metal sulfides and hydrogen sulfide, (4) separating the hydrogen sulfide from the one or more insoluble metal sulfides and (5) oxidizing the separated hydrogen sulfide to form a reusable source of a sulfur-containing ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels plc
    Inventor: Harry Eccles
  • Patent number: 5833864
    Abstract: A method for reducing and controlling the formation and release of acid gases and odors associated therewith, particularly from hydrogen sulfide, in sewerage or waste water, wherein magnesium hydroxide and/or magnesium oxide are added to the sewerage or waste water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: PSC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Miller, Mark A. Shand
  • Patent number: 5833863
    Abstract: The present invention discloses, in certain embodiments, a method for treating a concrete slurry to recover constituents thereof, the constituents including water, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and cement solids, the method comprising removing aggregate from the concrete slurry with aggregate separation apparatus, the aggregate separation apparatus producing a secondary slurry containing cement solids, feeding the secondary slurry to a clarifier in which cement solids settle out from the secondary slurry to a bottom of the clarifier and a liquid which is primarily water is disposed above the cement solids, removing the liquid from the clarifier, feeding settled out cement solids in liquid from the clarifier to a centrifuge, separating settled out cement solids from the liquid in the centrifuge producing an amount of liquid and an amount of settled out cement solids with liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Tuboscope Vetco Int'l Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Richards, James R. Dial
  • Patent number: 5820752
    Abstract: A recycling apparatus which preferably treats used antifreeze/coolant in four cycles is disclosed. The recycling apparatus includes a number of tanks for storing the antifreeze/coolant during the various treatment cycles, a number of containers for storing chemical reagents used to chemically treat the antifreeze/coolant and a number of filters used to capture impurities suspended in the treated antifreeze/coolant. During a fill cycle, the used antifreeze/coolant is introduced into a treatment tank and the concentration of the antifreeze/coolant is adjusted, if necessary, to a predefined range. During a mix cycle, the used antifreeze/coolant is mixed with various reagents to adjust the pH value, as well as to coagulate and flocculate the impurities. A reverse mixing and aspiration of the antifreeze/coolant in the tank during the mix cycle ensure that the reagents will mix well and react with the impurities in the used antifreeze/coolant to form a sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Prestone Products Corporation
    Inventors: Norman D. Berke, Stephen M. Woodward, Aleksei V. Gershun, Peter M. Woyciesjes, Robert J. Rosvally
  • Patent number: 5820764
    Abstract: Objectionable byproduct aqueous effluents containing contaminating amounts of hydroxynitroaromatic compounds, in particular those aqueous effluents produced during the synthesis of nitroaromatic compounds, e.g., dinitrotoluenes, via reaction of an aromatic compound with nitric acid in the presence of sulfuric acid, are efficiently, facilely and economically treated/removed by (a) intimately contacting a mixture of at least one nitroaromatic compound and at least one hydroxynitroaromatic compound with an aqueous wash medium containing a neutralizing agent, (b) separating the resulting admixture into an organic phase and an aqueous phase, (c) recycling a fraction of the separated aqueous phase to the aqueous wash medium to thus constitute a portion thereof, and (d) periodically draining a fraction of the wash medium, whether to destruction thereof or to waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Chimie
    Inventors: Faouzi Joulak, Louis Le Bris, Philippe Marion
  • Patent number: 5807487
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating wastewater effluent from diversely laundered household wash as in a laundromat provides for collecting and holding the effluent in a first tank for at least an average wash cycle for equalization and to a pH of 8.5 to 11, and then transferring the equalized wastewater to a second tank for acidification to a first predetermined pH of not less than about 6.5 and preferably 6.5 to 6.9, and then adding a coagulant, preferably a PAC with a basicity of 45 to 50%, to effect a second predetermined pH of not less than about 5.0 and preferably 5.2 to 5.4 for coagulation at the second pH to form treated water and a sludge. The treated water is decanted from the sludge and filtered to remove 1 to 50 micron particulates. The filtered water is then passed through a weak base anion exchange resin to remove MBAS to provide treated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: I.P. Licensing, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Lahti
  • Patent number: 5804078
    Abstract: An improved method of removing water soluble organics from produced water is disclosed. In the method, a chemical, selected from the group consisting of sodium bisulfite, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, tallow amine, acetic acid, and combinations thereof, is added to the water in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH of the water to about 6.0 to 6.5. Water soluble organics then separate out from the water for easy removal by conventional phase separation techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Robert Morrow, Nellie R. Miranda, Wilson Kirkpatrick Martir, Hossein Aghazeynali
  • Patent number: 5792364
    Abstract: A system and method for disposing of vacuum degasser contaminants which includes adjusting the pH, in a reactor vessel, of a vacuum degasser underflow stream to precipitate lead and zinc into particulate matter. The solids are then concentrated in a thickener to produce an underflow stream that is communicated to a holding vessel to settle. The overflow from the thickener is filtered through a sand filter and discharged to meet applicable NPDES permit limits. Lime is added to the slurry in the holding vessel to further settle the solids, to aid in filtration, and to prevent leaching of lead from the filter cake during TCLP testing. An overlaying supernatant is decanted from the holding vessel and returned to the reactor vessel for further treatment. Limestone is added to the underflow stream. The resulting slurry is dewatered to produce a friable, non-hazardous filtrate cake and a filtrate. The filtrate is directed back to reactor vessel prior to discharge for further treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Bethlehem Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Stewart T. Herman, Robert L. Greenawalt
  • Patent number: 5792365
    Abstract: A process to purify polar liquid wastes consists in treating the wastes with a flocculating composition formed by a concentrated suspension of montmorillonite into a polar liquid, and preferably into the same polar liquid waste to be treated. Selected pH and concentration ranges are determined in order to obtain short or very short contact times and a complete purification of the treated polar liquid wastes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Italtraco S.r.l.
    Inventor: Alberto Torini
  • Patent number: 5785863
    Abstract: Methods of removing contaminant metals from aqueous waste streams. A preferred method includes providing an aqueous waste stream containing a metal having a valence of at least one, such as zinc, lead, chromium, copper, iron, aluminum, manganese, cadmium, gold, silver, and mixtures of these metals. The waste stream is substantially free of calcium and magnesium. The process also includes forming a substantially insoluble precipitate of said metal by mixing with the waste stream fatty acids; zinc, potassium, and sodium salts of fatty acids; and mixtures of these materials. The metal precipitate is separated from the waste stream and the water that is subject to the removal process remains substantially free of calcium and magnesium throughout the entire process. The methods of the present invention are particularly effective for the removal of trace amounts of zinc from aqueous waste streams from polystyrene processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas L. Varner, Jr., William C. Hiatt, Thomas A. Hoermann
  • Patent number: 5783061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of removing iron compounds and chromium compounds from an aqueous electrolytic solution. Said method is characterized by the following succession of steps:a) adding hydrogen peroxide to the solution and, if necessary, adapting the acidity of the solution so that the pH value of the solution is .gtoreq.7;b) separating the iron hydroxide formed;c) adapting the acidity of the solution so that the pH value of the solution is <4;d) adapting the acidity of the solution so that the pH value of the solution is .gtoreq.7;e) separating the chromium hydroxide formed.The above-described method provides a simple manner of selectively removing chromium compounds and iron compounds from an aqueous electrolytic solution which preferably contains sodium nitrate. The necessary redox reactions take place via oxidation and reduction of C ions by means of hydrogen peroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Arend Schuurman, Johan Faber
  • Patent number: 5766440
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method for treating sludge as a by-product of a process of tin electroplating a steel plate by means of a plating bath containing haloid ions, together with an equipment therefor. More specifically, by immersing the sludge in water prior to filtration, the residual sludge is subjected to alkali hydrolysis in the presence or absence of the ions of an alkali earth metal within a temperature range of 100.degree. to 400.degree. C., whereby cyanide compounds and fluoride compounds contained therein under environmental regulations are prepared into environmentally non-hazardous matters. By adjusting the filtrate to pH 7.5 to 10, the precipitate with the principal component of tin hydroxide is deposited to recover the tin components contained in the sludge. Furthermore, the recovered tin is refined into the metal tin, for recycling and use as the electrode by the plating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignees: Kawasaki Steel Corporation, Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Ino, Akifusa Ohnishi, Takao Shimizu
  • Patent number: 5762807
    Abstract: A composition for treating water or flue gases that contains metal ions and possibly also organic and/or inorganic compounds is produced by reacting sulfur with an alkali- and/or alkaline earth metal hydroxide in the presence of water.The inventive composition corresponds to general formula IM.sub.x S.sub.y O.sub.z, (I)where M represents an alkali or alkaline earth metal,x is 1 or 2,y is in the range 0.5x-4.0x, andz is in the range 0.1-2.5.Alkali sulfite salts, particularly sodium salts, may also be added to the compound for reducing H.sub.2 S emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Inventor: Gunter Straten
  • Patent number: 5759743
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a developer-circulating method and an apparatus for carrying out the method in making a flexographic printing plate which prevents dissolved chemical substance from adversely affecting human bodies and has excellent safety; capable of preventing the increase of the viscosity of developer; and capable of effectively preventing the dissolved chemical substance from adhering to the apparatus, thus preventing the life of the apparatus from being reduced and collecting the dissolved chemical substance in a short period of time and which is superior in operation efficiency, work efficiency, and treating efficiency. Solid content of liquid containing resin component which has eluted from flexographic printing plates 3, 42 and dispersed in developer is flocculated by flocculating agent, and the liquid containing the flocculated solid content is separated into the liquid and solid contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisaichi Muramoto, Yasushi Umeda
  • Patent number: 5702614
    Abstract: A device for treating fluid, particularly polluted water such as add-sulphate water. The device includes a stainless steel chamber which is provided with buoyancy pontoons allowing it to float in communication with the polluted water in a reservoir. The chamber is provided at both ends with openings which allow water to flow freely into and out of the chamber for treatment. A trap door provides an entry for water treatment reagent and a motor and gearing system rotates the chamber about its axis. The rotation of the chamber combined with the action of the internal mixer flights serve to agitate the water and reagent mix with a milling action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Inventor: Jeffrey Robert Taylor
  • Patent number: 5700377
    Abstract: A chemical composition for use in purifying water used in swimming pools having surfaces that are comprised of materials that do not react with or dissolve in water, comprising for 2.5 kg of the chemical composition, 1.25 kg of potassiumpersulphate, 300 g of sodium bisulfate, 250 g of ammonium chloride, 100 g of aluminum sulfate, 250 g of sodium bicarbonate, 250 g of calcium chloride and 100 g of ethylendiamine tetra acetic acid (abbreviated EDTA). The potassiumpersulfate and the ammonium chloride are effective in disinfecting water to be purified and in eradicating algae and bacteria therein. The sodium bisulfate, sodium bicarbonate and the calcium chloride are effective in balancing the pH of water to be purified to a pH value within an optimum range between 7.2 and 7.6. The aluminum sulfate serves as a flocculation aid and the copper sulfate is effective in the eradication of black algae. The EDTA is effective to complexing heavy metals in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Peter Glen Cox
  • Patent number: 5698107
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminating metal ions and sulfate ions from acidic aqueous solution such as waste mine water which features passing the solution between pairs of electrodes, each pair of electrodes impressed with a voltage selected according to specific ion species and then adding chemical agents to raise the pH and form precipitates of the metal and sulfate ions. The precipitate is then separated from the water with settling and filtering steps. Application of a magnetic field is applied during at least the first mixing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Inventors: Stephen Ray Wurzburger, James Michael Overton
  • Patent number: 5695646
    Abstract: In connection with processes for conditioning soft water (pH less than/equal to 6) to become drinking water, it is necessary to supply hardening agents in order to raise the carbonate-dissolving pH value into the neutral range. Subsequently the turbid materials are flocculated out and the flocculation products are filtered off. Finally, the calcite equilibrium must be set by means of a renewed addition of a hardening agent. This process is simplified by means of the invention in that the calcite equilibrium by means of the supply of highly pure lime water is only set after filtering off the flocculation products. In the flocculation stage, highly pure lime water is also preferably employed for setting the flocculation pH value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Passavant-Werke AG
    Inventor: Franz Graf
  • Patent number: 5695647
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating or clarifying a turbid wastewater containing at least one contaminant selected from the group consisting of proteinaceous materials, fats, oils, and other biological contaminants. The methods of the present invention include the steps of (a) contacting turbid wastewater to cellulose ester fibrets under conditions sufficient to flocculate the contaminant to form a treatment suspension, and then (b) separating the flocculants from the treatment suspension to provide a clarified wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignees: North Carolina State University, Hoechst Celanese Corporation
    Inventors: Ruben G. Carbonell, Li Ang Chen, George A. Serad
  • Patent number: 5690804
    Abstract: A method and a plant for regenerating zinc sulfate electrolyte in steel strip electrogalvanizing processes by precipitating dissolved iron from electrolyte circulating through a coating cell. A partial quantity of the circulating electrolyte to be regenerated is removed from the coating cell and the dissolved iron is oxidized to Fe.sup.3+ by a redox-controlled addition of oxidizing agents. Subsequently, by raising the pH value to the precipitation limit of Fe.sup.3+ by a controlled addition of a ZnO/water suspension or a ZnCO.sub.3 /water suspension, the dissolved iron is precipitated as sludge. Any excess ZnO or ZnCO.sub.3 is then dissolved by adding fresh electrolyte. The precipitated iron sludge is conducted through a suitable filter such as a filter press, a filter belt, a decanter, etc., and the precipitated iron is filtered out in this manner. Subsequently, the purified partial quantity of the electrolyte is returned to the coating cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Kuhlmann, Ulrich Glasker
  • Patent number: 5683953
    Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for treating swimming pool waters in order to remove one or more nutrients necessary for algal growth and to accelerate the breakdown of objectionable chloramines within chlorinated pool waters.The target nutrients of preference are those containing phosphorus or nitrogen. Phosphorus nutrients are preferably removed by ion-exchange with finely divided lanthanum carbonate, or by direct precipitation in the pool with liquid lanthanum chloride. Nitrogen nutrients (including, in particular, chloramines) may be removed (possibly with the aid of catalysts and in separate reactors). The same reagents used to scavenge phosphates are useful in this regard, the nitrogen being released from the pool water as a nitrogenous gas.To allow the fine lanthanum carbonates to be conveniently handled in the pool environment, they may be linked to larger carrier particles, such as those of diatomaceous earth, or they may be embedded within porous beads formed from polymers or gels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Dudley John Mills
  • Patent number: 5679260
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process to remove tumour necrosis factor .alpha. (TNF.alpha.) or/and bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from an aqueous liquid, in particular blood, blood plasma or serum, in an extracorporeal perfusion system after removing corpuscular blood components if necessary, wherein(a) the pH value of the body fluid is adjusted to pH<6,(b) a precipitation reagent in the form of a polyanion is added,(c) precipitated substances are removed by filtration or/and centrifugation and(d) the resulting liquid is passed over an anion exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: B. Braun Melsungen AG
    Inventors: Karl-Siegfried Boos, Dietrich Seidel, Annette Trautwein, Gerold Morsch