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.

Abstract: Spent solutions from photographic processors are fed into a conduit (18) to which subsequently are added precipitating agents from a first source (22) and flocculating agents from a second source (28); so that, well grown or ripened clumps of flocculated solids are formed along the conduit before being emptied into a gravity collecting vessel and shipping container (38) from which clarified liquids are displaced by a mass (50) of accumulated flocculated solids, typically through a filter (58, 142, 150, 158, 162, 166, 220)for removal of any unsettled fines. Many of the clumps of flocculated solids become enlarged enough to individually extend across and substantially fill a cross-sectional area of the conduit. As a result, the enlarged clumps substantially block passage of and strain from the solution remaining fine particles which then adhere to the clumps.

Abstract: Metal ions are removed from solution by contacting the solution with a combination of a water-soluble cationic polymer and a water-soluble polymer containing pendant hydroxamic acid or salt groups.

Abstract: A mill waste or deinking waste or other suspension containing cellulosic material and hydrophobic material is flocculated by a cationic polymeric flocculant and the flocculated material, is then aggregated by a swelling clay or other anionic colloidal material, optionally further cationic flocculant is added, and the aggregated material is then separated by belt pressing or other pressure filtration as a cake.

Abstract: The invention is a method for clarifying waste water containing turbidity-causing components which comprises: adding to said water an effective turbidity-reducing amount of a water-soluble silicon-containing copolymer coagulant prepared from diallyldimethylammonium halide and a vinyltrialkoxysilane; mixing said copolymer and said water with a mechanical stirring device for sufficient time to allow flocculation of the turbidity-causing components; and then separating the flocculated turbidity-causing components from the waste water to obtain clarified water. Useful polymers for the practice of this invention are copolymers of diallyldimethylammonium halide and vinyltrialkoxysilane.

Abstract: This invention relates to the clarification of natural waters containing turbidity-causing components. This method comprises the addition of a stable colloidal silica suspension and water based polymeric coagulant to the turbid water. The components of the invention may be added independently, or blended together so that addition is simultaneous. The colloidal silica may also be conditioned by passing over a cationic exchange resin prior to addition of cationic polymer.

Abstract: A process for recovering metal oxides from waste water using anionic and cationic polymeric emulsions is disclosed. The treated metal oxides may then be recovered using a clarification step. Steps requiring the adjustment of pH based on the use of acids and base are thereby eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention related to the use of certain cross-linked diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride polymers in water-in-oil emulsion form for use as coagulants in suspensions of inorganic solids. The diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride polymers are preferably polymers of diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride, acrylamide, and triallylamine. The water-in-oil emulsions are formulated to invert after addition to the inorganic solids suspension, as the suspension travels to a mechanical thickening device for further processing. The inorganic solids from refuse or concentrate mineral processing applications may be coal, copper ore, sand, gravel, taconite, beryllium, trona, kaolin or precious metals.

Abstract: The present invention in one embodiment, is a process that uses a chemical treatment to remove heavy metals from wastewater; heavy metals from wastewater containing oxygenated hydrocarbons; and arsenic, organic acids, and heavy metals from antifreeze solutions. In one aspect such a method includes adding an iron salt, to an antifreeze solution containing arsenic and heavy metals with adequate mixing for dispersion throughout the solution. Then, a base is added to increase the pH to a level from about 8 to 10. As the base is added, a precipitate with contaminates forms and is then removed by standard filtration techniques. The arsenic, organic acids, and heavy metals co-precipitate with the iron and are removed by filtration. The process may either be a batch process or a continuous process. In one aspect the wastewater is generated by a process according to the present invention for purifying contaminated soil or sediment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of total cyanide from aqueous solution. The method includes the steps of placing the aqueous solution into a reaction tank, adding lime, ferrous sulfate, and acid to the solution in the reaction tank and agitating the resultant mixture for a reaction time of about one hour. The agitated mixture is transferred from the reaction tank to a clarifier tank and polyelectrolyte solution is added to induce iron-cyanide complex precipitate coagulation. The apparatus includes a reaction tank to hold the aqueous solution and a lime slurry tank, ferrous sulfate tank and acid tank in flow communication with the reaction tank. A pH control assembly controls the flow of acid from the acid tank into the reaction tank and a reaction tank agitation assembly extends into the interior of the reaction tank. The clarifier feed conduit extends between the reaction tank and a clarifier tank.

Abstract: A method is provided for using an aqueous suspension of at least 15% of poly(ethylene oxide)(PEO) as a flocculent. PEO is dispersed in an aqueous solution of at least one salt selected from the group consisting of sodium or potassium formate, sodium or potassium hydroxide, sodium or potassium citrate, sodium or potassium acetate, sodium chloride or mixtures thereof to form a poly(ethylene oxide) suspension having at least 15% of poly(ethylene oxide) by total weigh.

Abstract: A method for separating emulsified oil from water in petroleum production is disclosed. Low molecular weight polymers of dimethylaminoethyl acrylate methyl chloride and benzyl chloride quaternary salt have good activity as reverse emulsion breakers for freeing oil tied up as a oil-in-water emulsion. The polymer reverse emulsion breakers are preferably prepared and used as aqueous solutions to obviate the need for inversion techniques and the use of hydrocarbon compatibilizers and surfactants as required for a latex polymer.

Abstract: Tannin containing polymers, their method of production and methods of using as water treatment agents are disclosed. The tannin containing polymers comprise copolymers of tannin and a cationic monomer. Another embodiment comprises tannin containing polymers of tannin, cationic monomer and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of an anionic monomer and a nonionic monomer.

Abstract: A process for removing both color and odor from wastewater effluent that is contaminated from dye complexes, such as azo dye complexes, used for dyeing textiles to be various colors. The process requires treatment of the effluent with alkali metal permanganate, followed by treatment with hydrogen peroxide, followed by treatment a primary coagulant as a flocculation initiator (together with pH control so that the pH is basic), followed by treatment with a water soluble polymer, and followed by separating precipitated flocculated material from the effluent to obtain a clear effluent free of color and odor.

Abstract: A method for removing aluminum from blood includes the step of adding to the blood an anticoagulant and a complexing agent for aluminum or one compound effective in both preventing coagulation of blood and capable of complexing aluminum. The complexing agent or compound capable of complexing aluminum is allowed to intermingle with the blood and complex with aluminum present in the blood. The complex of complexing agent and aluminum formed during the intermingle step is then separated using a semi-permeable membrane, and the blood is recovered. The method is particularly useful in treating patient's having aluminum intoxication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the elimination of heavy metals from a closed white water system within the pulp and paper industry, wherein one adjusts the pH of the white water to between 5 and 11, and that one subsequently precipitates the resins present using a flocculation agent, whereby by a simultaneous elimination of the heavy metals is obtained.

Abstract: The invention is a method for clarifying ink-containing effluent water from recycled paper production which comprises the step of adding a water-soluble, surface active, silicon-containing polyelectrolyte polymer coagulant to the ink-containing effluent water from recycled paper production, wherein the polymer has from 0.01 to 10 mole percent of a vinyl alkoxysilane monomer. A preferred silicon-containing polyelectrolyte polymer is the product of a free radical synthesis from vinyltrimethoxysilane and diallyldimethylammoniumchloride monomers.

Abstract: A powdered composition for treating spent dry film stripping and/or developing solutions comprising: 10 to 70 percent by weight of an aluminum source, such as aluminum sulfate, aluminum chloride; and 28 to 90 percent by weight of siliceous particulates, such as diatomaceous earth, sodium potassium aluminum silicate or expanded perlite. The powdered composition may also include 3 to 35 percent by weight of a metal precipitation agent, such as trimercapto-s-triazine, sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate, starch xanthate, sodium diethydithiocarbamate and thio red, to precipitate the metal from the spent solutions and/or 0 to 10 percent by weight of a dust-suppression agent such as water or propylene glycol. A method of using the disclosed compositions is also revealed in this application.

Abstract: A process for dye removal from effluent is disclosed which includes treating the effluent with a reducing agent, adjusting the pH to a selected value in the range of 2-7, treating the effluent with a particular charge neutralization mixture, adjusting the pH a second time and subjecting the mixture to a flocculating process with selected chemicals.

Abstract: A steam stripping method for the softening of a feedstream of water including the steps of passing the feedstream of water into intimate contact with uncondensed steam such that the steam elevates the temperature of the feedstream of water, increasing the pH of the feedstream of water, reacting the feedstream of water with the steam so as to produce uncondensed steam byproducts and liquid byproducts, and passing the liquid byproducts through a filter so as to remove solids from the liquid byproducts. The steam is reacted with the feedstream of water at a rate of one pound of steam per ten pounds of feedstream water. A quantity of magnesium hydroxide can be added to the feedstream of water so as to initiate silica crystal formation. The liquid byproducts can pass through a bed of aluminum prior to the step of passing through a filter so as to reduce a silica content of the liquid byproducts.

Abstract: The invention is a method for dewatering waste solids generated in mineral processing operations utilizing a hydrophobically-modified copolymer coagulant of diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride and quaternized dimethylaminoethyl acrylate or quaternized dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate.

Abstract: The filtration rate of Bayer Process primary settler overflow and/or the flocculation in the initial stages of the washer train in the Bayer Process are improved by contacting the settler feed stream or the feed stream to the first stages of the washer train first with a) a lower molecular weight polymer which contains hydroxamic acid and/or salt groups and then with b) a mixture of an anionic polymer and a second, higher molecular weight polymer which contains hydroxamic acid groups.

Abstract: A method for the dewatering of sludges in industrial waste waters utilizing a hydrophobically-modified coagulant copolymer of diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride and quaternized dimethylaminoethyl acrylate or quaternized dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate and a flocculant.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the treatment of food processing wastes. More particularly, the present invention provides a chemical treatment method that effectively removes fat, blood, tissue and other solids from food processing waste, using novel hydrophobically associating copolymer compositions. These polyelectrolyte compositions are water soluble silicon containing copolymers prepared from dialkyldiallyl ammonium halides, particularly diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DADMAC) and vinyl alkoxysilanes, preferably vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS).

Abstract: The invention is a process for removing color from a paper mill waste effluent containing color bodies which comprises: treating the waste effluent containing color bodies with an effective color-removing amount of a water-soluble silicon-containing copolymer coagulant prepared from diallyldimethylammonium halide and a vinyltrialkoxysilane; coagulating the color bodies present in the waste effluent; and then removing the coagulated color bodies from the waste effluent.

Abstract: A method is provided for using an aqueous suspension of at least 15% of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) as a retention aid in the manufacturing of paper. PEO is dispersed in an aqueous solution of at least one salt selected from the group consisting of sodium or potassium formate, sodium or potassium hydroxide, sodium or potassium citrate, sodium or potassium acetate, sodium chloride or mixtures thereof to form a poly(ethylene oxide) suspension having at least 15% of poly(ethylene oxide) by total weigh. This suspension is dissolved in said dispersion in an aqueous system containing ferric ions or free chlorine; and said dissolved aqueous system is added to a pulp slurry for making paper just prior to forming the pulp into a wet web, whereby said aqueous suspension prevents the loss of fiber fines during the paper formation stage and resists viscosity loss due to ferric ions or free chlorine in the aqueous system.

Abstract: A method of removing silver from a solution containing silver halide and silver ion is described, which comprises a step of adding an a sulfur atom-containing hydrophilic polymer chelating agent to the solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to the clarification of deinking process waters which result from the recycling of paper. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of containing vinylamine as water clarifying agents in said processes.

Abstract: A method of separating exothermic elements of Cs and Sr from a high-level radioactive liquid waste. The method comprises a denitration step wherein formic acid is added to the high-level liquid waste so as to adjust its pH to about 5, thereby causing most of the elements other than Cs and Sr to precipitate in the high-level liquid waste to obtain a denitrated liquid waste containing Cs and Sr in high concentrations. The denitrated liquid waste is then subjected to a pH adjustment step wherein ammonia is added to the denitrated liquid waste so as to adjust its pH to about 7.5 to 9, thereby removing by precipitation the elements other than Cs and Sr remaining in the denitrated liquid waste. When the thus resulting precipitate freed of Cs and Sr is vitrified, the waste content in the vitrified waste can be increased.

Abstract: A process for the rendering of an effluent stream from a food processing plant, in which the effluent has or is made to have an acidic pH and carries proteinaceous material. The effluent is contacted with an inorganic coagulant (clay) that together with the acidic pH effectively neutralizes ionic charges on the proteinaceous material to cause the proteinaceous material to precipitate out of solution. The effluent stream is contacted with a biologically derived polymeric flocculant to facilitate settling of the precipitated proteinaceous material as flocs. The inorganic coagulant is present in an amount by weight of at least 1.5 times or 2.5 times the amount by weight of polymeric flocculant. Flocs are removed from the effluent stream to thereby render the effluent stream. A biologically derived co-flocculant is added to the effluent stream after contact with the effluent stream by coagulant and flocculant.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable assembly for treating hazardous waste water having a plurality of paired filter units having filter mediums and operated at high filter rates to minimize solids build up wherein solids are caused to be smashed and broken by shear forces and wherein chemicals are sequentially added to facilitate solids reduction, to oxidize organic compounds and to precipitate dissolved solids and wherein the process stream is subjected to ultraviolet light to reduce organic loading and downstream ultra filtration units to further reduce solids followed by reverse osmosis and/or ionization treatment.

Abstract: A process for removing proteinaceous materials, fats and oils from food processing wastewater using a coagulant such as lignin or a halogen ion containing compound together with a flocculant such as a natural polymer such as a polysaccharide or synthetic polymer is described. The combination of lignin or halogen and polymer is effective for coagulating and flocculating proteinaceous materials, fats and oils in food processing wastewater at low pH.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying agricultural waste. The method includes the steps of adding effective amounts of at least one polymer flocculent, at least one coagulant, and at least one precipitant. The combined effect of the various components of the present invention not only purifies the agricultural waste but also yields a dewatered organic mass for composting to act as a peat replacement.

Abstract: Improved separation of emulsified hydrophobic organic soils can be obtained from aqueous effluents using an amphoteric dicarboxylate surfactant material in combination with cationic destabilizer or flocculent materials. Such a treatment in combination with an acidic pH adjustment causes the rapid separation of hydrophobic organic soils from the aqueous stream. The treated aqueous stream is environmentally compatible.Improved laundry detergents comprising an organic amphoteric carboxylate surfactant and selected nonionic surfactants provide both cleaning for fiber and fabric containing items soiled with substantial quantities of hydrophobic soil. The pH of an effluent generated in such cleaning processes can be adjusted to an acid pH and treated with a cationic material causing a break that permits rapid and substantially complete separation of the hydrophobic organic soils from the effluent. Residual concentrations of organic soil in effluent water can be less than 250 ppm and can be as low as 10 ppm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of removing suspended solids from wastewater, by dissolving and mixing sodium alginate and retarder in the wastewater; adding and mixing metallic salt having a valence of 2 or more, excluding magnesium salt and mercury salt, in the resultant mixture to aggregate the solids; and separating the aggregated solids and resultant clarified water from each other.

Abstract: A chemically assisted process for dewatering mining waste solids on mechanical separation devices with at least one flocculant and at least one coagulant. It comprises using as the coagulant a diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride copolymer which contains from 3-25 mole % of acrylamide and which has been cross linked with from 0.01 to 0.5 mole % of triallyl amine.

Abstract: Selenium compounds present in aqueous liquids can be removed using a poly dithiocarbamate materials. The selenium compounds are then removed by precipitation or sedimentation. Optionally, an oxidizing agent may be added to the system prior to the addition of the poly dithiocarbamate. Various filtration methods may be employed to remove the selenium-dithiocarbamate materials from aqueous liquids.

Abstract: Metals contained in various wastewaters are selectively recovered as metal precipitates and/or as spinel ferrite and water suitable for discharge into the environment is obtained. High grade magnetic spinel ferrite is recovered from wastewaters having aluminum and arsenic if present in the wastewater, removed from the wastewater. There are three process stages for the treatment of wastewater. In the first process stage which is optional, at least a portion of at least one non-ferrous or non-ferric metal is precipitated from the wastewater by subjecting the wastewater to an oxidizing agent to increase the oxidation-reduction potential of the water, by adjusting the pH of the wastewater to a pH at which the metal precipitates from the water and by adding an organic or inorganic sulfur compound, capable of causing the metal to form a precipitate, to the water in a quantity sufficient to precipitate the metal.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting the formation of an unwanted precipitate comprising [H.sub.2-n TMT]Na.sub.n [HNR.sub.3 ] during the precipitation of silver mercapto-s-triazine (AgTMT) from a silver containing photoprocessing solution, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a base solution;(b) providing a reagent solution containing mercapto-s-triazine (TMT), or a water soluble salt thereof;(c) mixing the TMT reagent solution with the photoprocessing solution; and(d) adding sufficent base to increase the pH of the mixture of the TMT reagent and photoprocessing solutions above the pH of the mixture before addition of base, and the base is mixed:(i) directly to the photoprocessing solution before mixing TMT reagent with the photoprocessing solution; or(ii) with the photoprocessing solution concurrently with TMT reagent; or(iii) immediately after the point TMT reagent begins mixing with the photoprocessing solution.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of treating liquid carrying suspended solids comprising the following steps: (i) introducing the liquid into a primary treatment vessel (1) and causing agglomeration of solids suspended in the liquid to form flocs which are not settleable to any substantial degree within the time the said liquid is permitted to remain in the primary vessel; (ii) transferring an aqueous component comprising the flocs from the primary treatment vessel (1) to a secondary treatment vessel (5) where a floc of a settleable nature is caused to form; and (iii) permitting said floc to settle under gravity in the secondary vessel (5) and recovering an aqueous component having a substantially reduced concentration of suspended solids relative to the original liquid; wherein the liquid is subjected in the primary vessel to flow patterns, including a low energy circulating flow about a vertical axis of the primary vessel, which provide conditions for the formation of the substantially non-settleable flocs conta

Abstract: A method of clarifying bodies of water and eliminating algal bloom caused by planktonic algae in water harboring biological systems is described using a novel flocculating agent prepared in an aqueous solution containing a combination of a monomeric or polymeric aluminum salt and a polybasic carboxylic acid; the method results in complete clarification of the body of water without harming fish that may be present; a preferred flocculating agent described includes a combination of polymeric aluminum hydroxy-chloride and L-(+)-tartaric acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use, transport, storage, recovery and re-use of chemical compounds. In particular, the invention is directed to a method for reversibly transforming organic compounds into a phase more suitable for subsequent handling but from which the original organic compounds can be readily recovered. The invention is particularly suited for, but not limited to, the recovery and re-use of liquid hydrocarbons, either naturally occurring or synthetic, and/or their derivatives, and it is expected to be especially useful in the recovery of hydrocarbons from an oil spill.

Abstract: Sludge which is supplied from an untreated sludge tank 3 and diluting water from a diluting water supply facility 14 is charged into a continuous kneading mixer 12 for diluting the sludge to make the specific weight of the sludge 1.15 to 1.35. The diluted sludge is supplied to a dehydrating machine 25 in accordance with the capacity of the used dehydrating machine 25. The diluted sludge is firstly added with an inorganic flocculating agent G and is mixed in a first blender 24A and is then added with a high molecular flocculating agent G2 and is mixed in a second blender 24B. Thereafter, the sludge is supplied to a belt press dehydrating machine 25 in which it is subjected to a dehydrating treatment.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for batch treatment of a liquor to separate, by way of example, a suspension of a contaminant from a liquor is disclosed. The batch treatment apparatus comprises, a single batch vessel that has discharge outlets at an upper and a lower level of the vessel, and an agitator that is operable in accordance with the batch treatment process to mix the contents of the vessel. The batch treatment process comprises, forming floccs of the contaminants and a carrier which settle rapidly towards the base of the vessel, discharching the relatively contaminant free liquor through the upper discharge outlet, breaking bonds of the floccs so that the carrier separates from a sludge of the contaminant and flocculent residue, discharging the sludge through the lower discharge outlet, and re-using the carrier in the treatment of a new batch of liquor.

Abstract: Hectorite is utilized in conjunction with a water soluble cationic coagulant to clarify waste water from the deinking of waste paper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for purifying a low polluted water containing concurrently or selectively inadequate matters including heavy metals such as iron contents and manganese, and fine suspended matters, which comprises adding a reactant primarily containing a colloidal silica from a reactant charger to the polluted water stored in a primary tank to emulsify the inadequate matters; adding a coagulant primarily containing chitosan into the polluted water from a coagulant charger; feeding external air under high pressure by a pump into the polluted water, and separating the air from the polluted water, followed by dissolution of the air under pressure in the polluted water using a water separator; injecting the thus treated polluted water into a polluted water stored preliminarily in a secondary tank to generate very fine bubbles in polluted water stored in the secondary tank under releasing of the pressure; allowing the inadequate matters emulsified and flocculated to float up onto the water surf

Abstract: A process for removing silica in dissolved or colloidal form from an aqueous liquor comprising, precipitating/adsorbing the silica with or onto a precipitant/adsorbent, typically a compound containing aluminium, magnesium, or iron, forming floccs of the precipitated/adsorbed silica, and separating the floccs from the liquor.

Abstract: A process for separating the components of an emulsion. The process comprises, adjusting the pH of the emulsion to 4 less, adding a coagulant to the emulsion, forming a substantially uniform dispersion of inert particulate carrier in the emulsion adding a polyelectrolyte flocculent either during or after the step of forming the substantially uniform dispersion of inert particulate carrier in the emulsion to form floccs of the inert particulate carrier, the dispersed liquid phase, and the contaminants, allowing the floccs to settle, and separating the relatively clarified continuous liquid phase from the settled floccs.

Abstract: A method of dewatering mineral-containing sludge by adding to the sludge (a) an aqueous solution or emulsion of acrylamide polymer flocculating agent and (b) a microfiber additive. By using this method, such mineral-containing sludges can be quickly dewatered into a cake having 25-35% solids which can then be further processed to a 60% solids-containing material. The method is particularly suitable for use in methods for treating, recovering, rehabilitating and recycling residue of mining operations. The method also enhances the filtration characteristics of certain mineral residues. With modification, the method is also suitable for dewatering organic sludges. Kaolin clay and red mud from the Bayer process are disclosed among the mineral-containing sludges which may be dewatered in accordance with the process of the invention.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of acidic fluoride-containing solutions to neutralize them and to remove fluoride ion in the form of a readily filterable precipitate which comprises mixing the acidic solution with a suspension of an alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide, wherein a flocculating agent is incorporated in the acidic solution before mixing thereof with the alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide.