Abstract: Improved filtration rates and decreased sodium chloride and moisture content in sodium bicarbonate filter cakes are obtained by including a filter aid containing a mono and/or dialkylester of sodium sulfosuccinate in the filter feed suspension.

Abstract: A method for making insoluble detrimental heavy metals contained in a fly ash collected from an exhaust gas discharged from an incinerator. For the purpose of making insoluble the heavy metals, a chelating agent and water are added to the fly ash and these substances are kneaded to form a kneaded mass. The kneaded mass has a strong alkalinity under the effect of an alkaline substance added to the exhaust gas to remove hydrogen chloride and other detrimental components contained in the exhaust gas. The reactions between the heavy metals and the chelating agent in the kneaded mass are promoted by adjusting the amount of added water to limit a pH value of the kneaded mass to up to 12, thereby converting the heavy metals into water-insoluble chelate compounds through the reaction with the chelating agent.

Abstract: A method for insolubilizing detrimental heavy metals contained in a fly ash collected from an exhaust gas discharged from an incinerator. For the purpose of making insoluble the heavy metals, a chelating agent comprising a high-molecular compound is added, together with water, to the fly ash, or a chelating agent, a high-molecular compound and water are added to the fly ash, and these substances are kneaded to form a kneaded mass. Reactions are caused in the kneaded mass between these heavy metals and the chelating agent to convert the heavy metals into water-insoluble chelate compounds, and the chelate compounds are coarsened.

Abstract: In the Bayer process for producing alumina from bauxite of the type wherein the bauxite is added to a caustic solution to produce a soluble aluminate solution and an insoluble red mud fraction which is then subjected to one or more separation steps to produce a thickener overflow which is then subjected to a Kelly Filter Press to polish the thickener overflow the improvement which comprises treating the thickener overflow and the filter aid with a filtration improving amount of dextran.

Abstract: A method and composition for dewatering coal and mineral slurries by centrifugation or filtration wherein a dewatering aid in combination with a clay dispersant is added to the slurry prior to centrifugation. The dewatering aid is preferably an alkylphenolethoxylate surfactant and the clay dispersant is preferably sodium hexametaphosphate. The combination aids in dewatering and also reduces the ash content of coal treated with the combination.

Abstract: A process for purifying contaminated aqueous solutions without using ion exchange resins or organic solvents is provided. The process comprises contacting an aqueous solution with a getter compound and a non-polymeric carrier compound in a dispersed state to remove dissolved contaminants or recover dissolved valuable materials. Suitable carrier compounds having pendant long chain hydrocarbon radicals and hydrophilic moieties are disclosed. The process is highly efficient and effective for removing a wide variety of dissolved contaminants such as metal ions, non-metal ions and dissolved organic contaminants such as dyes.

Abstract: A dry flocculant powder comprises an inorganic substrate consisting essentially of metal oxide/hydroxide particles having an average particle size of less than about 30 microns, said substrate having a cationic or anionic polyelectrolyte coated onto its outer surface, preferably under other than high shear conditions. A method for coating or adhering polyelectrolytes to the outermost surface of inorganic particles comprises dispersing a polyelectrolyte in a substantially non-aqueous solvent, preferably having a low boiling point and a low to intermediate polarity relative to the polyelectrolyte; adding the inorganic particles to the solvent to form a slurry; mixing the slurry under low to moderate shear conditions; and removing excess solvent from the slurry. There is also disclosed a method for removing clay, clay-like materials, humic acids, yeast, biological cells and/or other cell debris from an aqueous stream through contact with the aforementioned dry flocculant powder.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing a solid phase from a liquid substance, which is kept in a continuous turbulent flow. The method is characterized by adding simultaneously at consecutive places in the flow direction of the liquid substance, cement, iron (III)-chloride-sulfate and an anion polyelectrolyte. Cement is added at a first place, iron (III)-chloride-sulfate at a second place and anion polyelectrolyte at a third place.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating low-concentration turbid water, which comprises adding an anionic coagulant and a cationic coagulant in this order and forcedly stirring the mixture. According to the present invention, low-concentration turbid water of even up to 100 ppm can be cleaned to below 10 ppm at a high efficiency in a single treatment.

Abstract: A process for the removal of aromatic compounds from aqueous solutions using an oxidatic enzyme, such as a peroxidase enzyme, is described. The enzyme is immobilized on a surface so that preferably multiple passes of the aqueous solution with the aromatic compound can be made over the immobilized enzyme. Higher enzyme utilization with a lower oxidative substrate, such as hydrogen peroxide, requirement is achieved.

Abstract: In a Bayer process for production of aluminum, alumina trihydrate crystals are formed in the pregnant liquor and are flocculated using a combination of dextran and synthetic polymer, usually a homo- or copolymer of acrylic acid. The process is particularly advantageous where the liquor contains organic components such as humate and/or oxalate.

Abstract: The use as flocculants of ferric salt/water-soluble cationic polymer compositions having inorganic:polymer weight ratios of at least 5:1 is disclosed. These compositions are especially effective in low turbidity waters.

Abstract: A method of treating dichloromethane laden streams to prevent discharge into the environment by contacting the laden stream with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide and an alkylene ether glycol.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for detackifying paint overspray comprising contacting the paint overspray with reduced cation exchange capacity smectite clays and organoclays.

Abstract: A method is provided for oxidizing arsenic in an arsenic-containing solution. The method comprises contacting the solution containing arsenic in a +3 oxidation state with an amount of a specific type of oxidizing agent, i.e., an agent containing at least one ##STR1## wherein X is a halogen to effect substantially complete oxidation of the arsenic to the +5 oxidation state. The amount of oxidizing agent used is substantially less than that which would theoretically be required. In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment, the oxidized arsenic is reacted with a metal to form a substantially water-insoluble precipitate, preferably an iron or calcium arsenate.

Abstract: A process for detackifying paint, lacquer or enamel in a paint spray booth in which water is used to wash the air containing oversprayed paint, lacquer or enamel particles. The process comprises adding to the wash water a sufficient amount for the purpose of a cationic organic polymer and a selective anionic organic polymer. The process is particularly adaptable to activator catalyzed treatment programs in which the inorganic anion is lost as a precipitate due to adverse conditions such as increasing wash water acidity. The substitution of an organic anionic polymer for the inorganic anion alleviates this problem.

Abstract: A composition for the purification of water includes a suitable coagulant for coagulating solid impurities dispersed in the water to form flocs and an organic hydrophilic colloid capable, when dispersed in the water, of absorbing large quantities of water to form a sol for aggregating the flocs. The proportion of organic hydrophilic colloid in the composition is such that when the composition is used to purify the intended quantity of water, the organic hydrophilic colloid does not interfere with coagulant dispersal in the water or with floc formation.

Abstract: A method for treating emulsified oil contaminants in the wastewater effluent of industrial and food processing operations. Cationic polymers and silicate ions are found to effectively coagulate the oily particles to facilitate removal from the water.

Abstract: A method of removing dissolved and colloidal macro-molecular organic substances from effluents from processes used in the manufacture of pulp and paper, wherein an acid sludge containing cellulose fibres and being acidified to a pH value of 1.6-2.5, is added to an effluent containing said organic substances, and the pH value is adjusted to 4.5-6.0 before the mixture is subjected to sedimentation to achieve precipitation of the fibres with said organic substances adhered thereto. According to the invention the fibres used as precipitant are subjected to mechanical treatment prior to said acidification, so that the fibres are broken and split open, increasing their specific fibre surface and thereby their ability to catch the organic substances in the effluent.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of improving the dewatering of alumina trihydrate obtained by the Bayer process. The method comprises treating the alumina trihydrate with the product of mixing an alkaline liquor and a C.sub.8 to C.sub.20 fatty acid, fatty acid precursor such as an ester or amide, or a fatty acid blend. The product, a fatty acid salt, is an effective dewatering aid.The alumina trihydrate may be washed with a liquor including said product, or the product may be added to a Bayer liquor slurry prior to filtration of the alumina trihydrate.The invention also contemplates a watering aid consisting of the product of mixing an alkaline liquor with a C.sub.8 to C.sub.20 fatty acid or fatty acid precursor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the reduction in size of the pores of a filter medium for beverages, preferably beer. Silica sol is added to the beverage to be filtered. In order to be able to reduce the size of the pores of the filter medium in a simple manner and to adjust it to the requirements, upstream of the filter medium through which passes the beverage, silica sol is added continuously or in a batch-feed process using a tank, in such a quantity and controlled such that the silicic-acid precipitation, i.e. the transition from SiO.sub.2 primary particles to SiO.sub.2 secondary particles, has taken place before the beverage has left the filter medium. The resultant silicic-acid precipitation reduces the size of the pores without sealing them.

Abstract: An improved cationic water-soluble polymer is prepared from acrylamide, a cationic monomer such as dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate dimethylsulfate quaternary, and a waste stream which is produced as a result of the transesterification reaction between dialkylamino alcohols and acrylates which is used to prepare the cationic monomer. The polymers are especially useful in dewatering applications.

Abstract: Water-dispersible polymeric latexes are excellent paint detackifying agents for treating the circulating water in paint spray booths when latexes have an average particle size less than 10 microns.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of coagulating sludge, which comprises adding sequentially an anionic polymer coagulant and a cationic polymer coagulant to sludge, and furthermore, adding an anionic polymer coagulant.According to the present invention, it is possible to coagulate sludge at a far higher efficiency with a far smaller dewatering load than in the typical conventional methods using an inorganic salt and a pH adjusting reagent.

Abstract: A method of paint sludge conversion and sludge removal from a sump pit for disposal is provided which is particularly adapted for use with paint waste sludge derived from wet spray booth operations. The method involves blending with the starting sludge caustic, oil and emulsifiers. Water may be added to achieve a desired water to total solids weight ratio. The product is a pumpable liquid disperse system which is easily charged to tankers or the like for pump out from the sludge pit.

Abstract: A method is shown for separating water from an oil-water system. A separator composition is blended from cactus extract, and activator and a carrier liquid. The separator composition causes separation of the oil and water into distinct layers which allows the water to be drawn off.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for continuous sedimentation-type separation of solids from liquids of a feed slurry in a thickener-clarifier-type tank operated by overflow removal of clarified liquid and underflow removal of a concentrated underflow slurry by using a flocculant in a zone of intense mechanical agitation provided by a rotatable impeller rotated at tip speeds of between approximately 300 to 600 feet per minute to produce relatively small, bead-like floccules directly above the concentrated underflow slurry.

Abstract: Finely divided aqueous mineral slurries such as kaolin clay and calcium carbonate are dewatered, filtered and prepared for shipment by and with the addition of an effective amount (preferably 0.01 to 4.0 pounds per ton of solids) of melamine/formaldehyde polymer.

Abstract: Aqueous mineral slurries are treated prior to dewatering, to increase throughput, with a condensation product of formaldehyde and dicyandiamide, which may be further reacted with ammonia or an ammonia salt and an alkylenepolyamine or copper chloride.

Abstract: A method of removing a constituent of a biological fluid including a blood component, said method including flowing the biological fluid past one side of a first semipermeable membrane; flowing solution containing a first precipitation agent past a second side of the membrane so as to cause transfer of the precipitation agent through the membrane to the biological fluid so as to improve precipitation characteristics of the fluid; and precipitating the constituent from the biological fluid. Also disclosed are maintaining a lower pressure in a biological fluid in a dialyzer than in dialysate at all portions of a membrane in the dialyzer and adding a continuously flowing stream of concentrated precipitation agent to a continuously flowing stream of a biological fluid.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for working up the high-boiling, solids-containing residues obtained in the synthesis of organochlorosilanes which are hydrolyzed and then optionally oxidized, comprising adding during hydrolysis and/or oxidation a surface-active agent which hydrophilicizes the surface of the solids.

Abstract: A novel polymer and treatment scenario which considerably improves detackification of paint overspray consisting of high solids enamel, epoxy resin, or polyurethanes in the wash water or paint spray booths is disclosed comprised of:(i) a hydrophilic-lipophilic copolymer in combination with a modified tannin and/or(ii) a diallyldimethylammonium chloride polymer in combination with a modified tannin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for separating oil water and solids from emulsions. More particularly, the present invention provides a process and apparatus for continuously separating oil, water and solids from stable mixtures thereof, comprising heating the mixture to at least about 115.degree. C., rapidly cooling the mixture to below 100.degree. C., separating the solids from the liquids and separating the water from the oil. Preferably, the invention also includes the step of adding a flocculant prior to cooling the mixture.

Abstract: A process for detackifying and coagulating paint in a wet paint spray booth wherein water is used to wash the air containing oversprayed paint from the paint spray operation. The process comprises forming stable colloid solutions consisting of weakly electropositive metals. Additionally, to activate the metal cation, various anionic or cationic polymers may be selected and used.

Abstract: A melamine-formaldehyde detackifer having a less than 0.15% free formaldehyde which comprises a melamine-formaldehyde polymer detackifier to which has been added a formaldehyde scavenging agent selected from an effective amount of urea, acetylacetone, and a combination of urea with an enhancer selected from glyoxal and acetylacetone. The use of the low free formaldehyde detackifier is also described.

Abstract: Removal of wet overspray from lacquer or similar water insoluble coatings by predominantly aqueous cleaning liquids is improved by including in the cleaning liquids as a coagulation agent a salt of a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid that contains 8 to 25% by weight of acrylic acid units and 92 to 75% by weight of ethylene units in its acid form. The cleaning liquid may be conveniently made by diluting an aqueous concentrate containing 2 to 25% by weight of the copolymer salt. Including cyanamide derivatives such as calcium cyanamide in the cleaning liquid further improves its coagulating effectiveness.

Abstract: An improved method for dewatering thin slurries of very fine clay or clay-like material to yield high solids content filter cake, for example, 40% solids and greater, by the use of flocculating agent combinations involving polyethylene oxide-type flocculating agents and polyacarylamide-type flocculating agents. The method generally involves admixing the combination of flocculating agents with the slurry, dewatering the slurry by means of a mechanical dewatering apparatus and feeding the thickened slurry to a belt press filter.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for conditioning in a thermosetting resin a quantity of waste stored in water.According to the invention, a liquid hardening agent, immiscible with water and having a density greater than that of the water, is used in order to harden the resin; this hardening agent is then mixed with the waste stored in the water and then the waste is left to decant in the hardening agent; then the water present above the decanted waste transferred into the liquid hardening agent is extracted and the waste transferred into the liquid hardening agent is mixed with the epoxy resin so as to obtain a solid block.In particular, the waste may be ion exchanger resins. Adding of the hardening agent to the waste stored in the water makes it possible to limit a temperature rise during hardining and to obtain solid products having an improved density.

Abstract: An aqueous solution blend of cationic metal salt and anionic vinyl polymer may be prepared. A composition comprising the combination of a cationic metal salt, anionic vinyl polymer, and water may be used in water clarification process.

Abstract: A novel treatment scenario which considerably improves detackification of paint overspray consisting of undiluted high solids enamel, epoxy resin or polyurethanes in the wash water of paint spray booths is disclosed, comprised of (i) a dialkylamine-epihalohydrin in combination with a modified tannin and/or (ii) a dialkylamine epihalohydrin in combination with a melamine formaldehyde type polymer.

Abstract: Waste drilling mud is stabilized for earthern burial. The waste drilling mud may be treated by flocculating, aggregating, agglomerating and dewatering the waste drilling mud and separating out free water. The free water may be reused or disposed of in a disposal well. The thickened, dewatered drilling mud solids may be further treated with a water absorbing binder to produce a residue which has sufficient bearing strength to support an earthen overburden and may be disposed of by burial. Suitable flocculating, agglomerating and dewatering polyelectrolytes may be used, including polyacrylamides, quarternary amine polymers and mixtures thereof. The water absorbing binders may include inorganic and organic materials, such as natural and synthetic water absorbing gums, polymers and inorganic colloidal absorbers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for safely handling and detoxification of contaminated soil substantially saturated with PH contaminants such as fuel and petroleum hydrocarbons is disclosed which treats the contaminated soil with an additive consisting of low grade humic acid and lime that is mixed with the soil in the approximate ratio of nine parts soil to one part of additive. The treatment involves digging a trench while collecting toxic soil, reducing particle size to a fine silt or sand-like particle size followed by introducing the additive for mixing in a tumbler and, finally, discharge of the thoroughly covered additive and encapsulated toxic soil particles into the previously dug trench.

Abstract: Water can be removed from an aqueous clay slurry using techniques such as filtration wherein the slurry is contacted with an anionic polymer having a molecular weight in the range from about 3,000 to about 1,000,000. The water is removed from the slurry at a rapid rate in order to provide a clay cake.

Abstract: A composition and method for detackifying paint spray booth water containing particles from paint spray is disclosed which uses a reaction product of an aldehyde with either a urea or an aminotriazine or both, and at least one of;(i) a hydrolyzed polyacrylamide;(ii) certain modified tannins in further combination with diallyldialkyl quaternary ammonium polymers or polymers derived by reacting certain dialkylamines with epihalohydrins.

Abstract: A composition for promoting dewatering of granulated slag which comprises the combination of an anionic polyether sulfate surfactant with a cationic nitrogen-containing surfactant and optionally a defoaming agent, and a process for promoting dewatering of granulated slag using such composition, which are useful for preparing granulated slag having a moisture content of 4% or less as a material for cement.

Abstract: J-1 which is a strain of cyanobacteria is used to form and excrete a material useful as a floculating agent and as an additive useful in soil conditioning. Method of separating and culturing the cyanobacteria under conditions necessary to achieve maximum formation and excretion of the material into solution. Method of purifying and separating excreted as well as intracellular material from cyanobacterial. Method of clarifying a particulate-laden liquid with a material excreted by cyanobacteria, and particularly species J-1. Extracellular polymeric material which is water-soluble, non-dialyzable, having a molecular weight greater than 100,000, based on Sephadex column elution G 150, containing sugar, peptide, and fatty acid moieties, giving a positive Anthrone test, having an absorption peak of 205 nm. using a Perkin-Elmer spectrophotometer Model 402.

Abstract: A method is provided herein for the treatment of sewage or other impure water. The method includes adding, to the sewage or other impure water in a mixing zone, all three individually but no more than two premixed together of the following: (a) an inorganic coagulant, (b) an anionic polymer, and (c) a cationic polymer, with intimate mixing of the added chemicals with the sewage or other impure water, with the proviso that (d) the inorganic coagulant, either alone or with the anionic polymer or the cationic polymer, cannot be added last; and (e) the anionic polymer and the cationic polymer cannot be intimately mixed and added together. This provides chemically-treated effluent having large, compact, firmly bonded, substantially-shear resistant and rapidly-separatable flocs therein. The flocs are separated from the liquid in a separating zone. Finally treated effluent effluent is removed from the separating zone.

Abstract: For water treatment systems it may be desired to feed various chemicals at optimum rates into the system. Improvements over the invention of U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,914 and also to the novel feeder capsules employed are a shown.The rate of feeding depends upon the size and number of small holes which are provided, or the user pokes through the shell of the capsule, and upon the flow rate of the water around it. In some embodiments the capsule is weighted to direct the small holes upward as it rests in quiet water, thereby substantially to halt the flow of chemical; but as the water is sloshed about in use, the chemical is dispensed at a rate proportional to the amount of use.In a so-called "dumbbell" capsule the vertical tendency is aided by a second vented floatation sphere snapped to the first to hold the dispensing holes upward even in a hot tub. It is used in the controlled release of free bromine by the oxidant, sold under the trademark "OXONE".

Abstract: A system for the production of hardened coal agglomerates comprising a first pump (P1) for pumping a coal-water slurry and a predetermined quantity of oil or other suitable hydrophobic liquid into an agitated mixing tank (1), a second pump (P2) for pumping the coal-water slurry and partially formed agglomerates from the first mixing tank (1) into a pipeline loop (L1) which returns the slurry/agglomerates to the tank (1), a third pump (P3) for removing slurry/agglomerates from the first mixing tank (1) and transporting it to a second mixing tank (2), means for introducing further fresh coal-water slurry into the inlet of the third pump (P3) and/or into the second mixing tank (2), a fourth pump (P4) for withdrawing the slurry/agglomerates from the second mixing tank (2) and transporting the mixture through a second pipeline loop (L2) which discharges back into the second mixing tank (2), and a fifth pump (P5) for withdrawing the slurry/agglomerates from the second mixing tank (2) for a recovery of the agglomera

Abstract: Water soluble low molecular weight cationic polymeric coagulants in combination with colloidal silica are excellent paint detackification agents for treating paint spray booth waters which are contaminated with paint particles.