Abstract: The present invention relates ways to increase the output of a high quality product from the aluminum hydroxide recovery processes such as the Bayer process. The invention is a method of increasing the size of precipitated aluminum hydroxide while not reducing the total production amounts. The invention relates to the use of a crystal growth modifier compositions added to the precipitation liquor to increase the particle size distribution of the precipitated alumina trihydrate.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to a method for removing colloidal titanium dioxide and titanium oxychloride from by-product hydrochloric acid, typically without the use of metallic hydroxides and/or other neutralizing agents. Often, the decontaminated hydrochloric acid product is commercial grade and has concentrations greater than 85 wt % of the concentration of untreated by-product hydrochloric acid. The method includes adding phosphate ion source and quaternary amine or other precipitating agent to the by-product hydrochloric acid to cause the titanium dioxide and the titanium oxychloride to form a precipitate. In one embodiment, the method further includes heating at least one of the phosphate ion source, the quaternary amine or alternative precipitating agent, the by-product hydrochloric acid, or combination thereof. The precipitate can then be separated from the acid, thus producing a decontaminated hydrochloric acid product with reduced levels of titanium and other contaminants.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming a well completion brine solution containing metal impurities by introducing to the brine solution an organic chelant of the formula: and may be either a neutral compound, a corresponding salt, or a corresponding quaternary salt, wherein: D is F-A (Y3)u(Y4)v; R is independently selected from Cp or CpC(O); Cp is a C1-C36, preferably a C8-C36, hydrocarbyl group, optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, sulfate, CH2CO2Z or —(CH2)nPO(OZ)2 groups; each A is independently selected from —N and —P; Y1 is independently selected from J, —[(F)-A(J)]w Y6 and R; J, R1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5 and Y6 are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, R, —(F)nCO2Z and —(CH2)nPO(OZ)2; each F is independently selected from a C1-C12 hydrocarbyl group, optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, hydroxyl, sulfate, CH2CO2Z or —(CH2)nPO(OZ)2 groups; Z is —H, a balanced organic counte

Abstract: A method of reclaiming a well completion brine solution by using an organic chelant that is capable of discriminating between (i) iron and non-zinc heavy metals; and (ii) calcium and zinc. The chelant contains a functional group selected from the group —CO2H or —PO(R21)R20 or a salt or ester thereof, —C(O)—, —OE, —SE, —N?C(R2)R3, EO—N?C(R2)R3, —N(R2)R3, and —N(C(O)R1)R2 group optionally substituted with a —COOH or —PO(R21)R20 or a salt or ester thereof, —SE or —OE group, wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from E or forms, with nitrogen, phosphorous, oxygen or sulfur, a heterocyclic ring; E is R1 or —H; R1 is a C1-C30 alkyl or aralkyl group or a derivative thereof and R20 and R21 are independently selected from —OH, —OR1 and R1.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating plasma from blood in a separation vessel and further separator the separated plasma into desired plasma proteins in a plasma separator fluidly connected to the separation vessel to receive the separated plasma.

Abstract: A process for cleaning a wastewater stream which comprises soot and is obtained in the preparation of acetylene, the soot being present in finely divided form in the wastewater, wherein the soot is removed by subjecting the wastewater to a solid concentration by sedimentation and then the soot sludge obtained in the sedimentation is dewatered further by a pressure filtration.

Abstract: A water treatment method is provided for helping to partially or completely remove sodium and methane gas from water. In the method, water is combined with a reactant that is formulated to combine with the sodium in the water and form a compound. The water and compound are then passed through a bed of media for helping to separate the compound from the water. The method also includes aerating the water to release gases contained therein by breaking the water into microdroplets by passing it through a screen. Additionally, the method may include a step wherein the water is passed through an acidic resin for facilitating a cation exchange where additional sodium is removed. A water treatment apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides new methods for purifying and concentrating viruses. The inventors have discovered that high molecular weight proteoglycans present in retroviral stocks are co-concentrated with the retroviruses, and can inhibit retroviral transduction. The new purification and concentration methods feature treatment of virus stock with an anionic polyelectrolyte and a cationic polyelectrolyte, followed by centrifugation. The new methods minimize the amount of proteoglycan co-precipitated with the infectious virus.

Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] To provide a method of treating a sealing compound that can efficiently separate and recover a used sealing compound into rubber latex and a liquid constituent, and also simplify the treatment of the rubber latex and liquid constituent separated from the used sealing compound.

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

Abstract: This invention relates to a process comprising contacting an polymerization reactor effluent with a fluorinated hydrocarbon and thereafter recovering olefin polymer, where the fluorinated hydrocarbon is present at 5 volume % to 99 volume % based upon the volume of the effluent and the fluorinated hydrocarbon, and where the polymerization is a continuous polymerization of at least 75 mole % of hydrocarbon monomers, based upon the total moles of monomer present in the reactor.

Abstract: Desalination methods that include carbonate compound precipitation are provided. In certain embodiments, feed water is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions prior to desalination. In certain embodiments, desalination waste brine is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. In yet other embodiments, both feed water and waste brine are subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. Aspects of embodiments of the invention include carbone dioxide sequestration. Embodiments of the invention further employ a precipitate product of the carbonate compound precipitation conditions as a building material, e.g., a cement. Also provided are systems configured for use in methods of the invention.

Abstract: The suspended solids content of a Bayer process stream is reduced by contacting the stream with silicon-containing polymers.

Abstract: A method of treating hardly decomposable harmful substance comprising (A) a step for adding coagulant into wastewater containing a hardly decomposable harmful substance, (B) a step for performing solid-liquid separation which separates a solid containing the hardly decomposable harmful substance from a liquid, and (C) a step for decomposing the hardly decomposable harmful substance by bringing peroxide into contact with the separated solid. Efficiently and safely treating the hardly decomposable harmful substances by means of low-cost facilities realizes.

Abstract: Process for selectively removing molybdenum from liquid mixtures containing it, in a quantity greater than (200) mg/l, together with vanadium characterized in that it comprises the following steps: bringing the liquid mixture to a pH of less than (3); adding a solution of an alkaline xanthate to the solution so that the molar ratio molybdenum/alkaline xanthate ranges from (¼) to (?), maintaining the pH constant by means of the addition of an inorganic acid; stirring the mixture causing the precipitation of the molybdenum present in the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for separating hydrocarbons from catalyst fines in a slurry oil/catalyst fines/diluent mixture (SCDM) comprising the steps of removing SCDM from a slurry oil storage tank and combining the SCDM with crude oil entering a desalter in order to separate the slurry oil from the catalyst fines, whereby the desalter causes the hydrocarbon content of the SCDM to exit the desalter with dehydrated hydrocarbon from the crude oil while catalyst fines exit the desalter with basic sediment and water removed from the crude oil.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming a well completion brine solution by using an organic chelant that is capable of discriminating between (i) iron and/or non-zinc heavy metals; and (ii) calcium and zinc.

Abstract: A cost-effective method for reducing the dissolved sulfide content in a wastewater stream and thereby hydrogen sulfide emissions therefrom involving the steps of adding a transition metal salt to the wastewater stream at the upper reaches of a wastewater collection system prior to at least some hydrogen sulfide volatilization followed by addition of an oxidant to the wastewater stream to generate elemental sulfur and a transition metal salt which subsequently participates in additional hydrogen sulfide capturing steps, thereby also improving water quality and wastewater treatment plant operations.

Abstract: A method of reclaiming a well completion brine solution by using an organic chelant that is capable of discriminating between (i) iron and non-zinc heavy metals; and (ii) calcium and zinc. The chelant contains a functional group selected from the group —CO2H or —PO(OH)R20 or a salt or ester thereof, —C(O)—, —OE, —SE, —N?C(R2)R3, EO—N?C(R2)R3, —N(R2)R3, and —N(C(O)R1)R2 group optionally substituted with a —COOH or —PO(OH)R20 or a salt or ester thereof, —SE or —OE group, wherein R2 and R3 are independently selected from E or forms, with nitrogen, phosphorous, oxygen or sulfur, a heterocyclic ring; E is R1 or —H; R1 is a C1–C30 alkyl or aralkyl group or a derivative thereof and R20 is —OH or R1.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of a metal from a liquid medium containing the metal I solution or in finely divided insoluble from comprises contacting the medium with a functionalized polymer fiber capable of binding the metal and recovering the metal from the fiber. The polymer fiber is suitably a polyolefin, a fluorinated polyethylene, cellulose or viscose, which is functionalized by the radiation grafting of at least one monomer. The method is particularly suitable for the recovery of platinum group metals from process residues.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for removing a contaminant from dental effluents and includes transporting a three-phase effluent through a suction line into a particle collection vessel, introducing a suction line cleaning solution which includes a reagent into the suction line, and introducing the three phase effluent and the line cleaning solution into the collection vessel, wherein the effluent separates into solid. liquid, and gas phases in the collection vessel and the reagent includes a flocculant and/or a precipitant. and removing the gaseous and liquid phases from the collection vessel. The contaminant includes mercury. lead. and arsenic.

Abstract: Methods of treatment of fluids produced by an oil or gas well following a stimulation operation, allowing separation from the fluids and re-injection of oil and gas hydrocarbons in a production pipeline under pressure, and allowing achievement of suitable quality for the residual fluids compatible with their rejection, for example into the sea, including the following three elements; neutralization of the fluids by mixing with a high pH chemical, until the resulting pH reaches a level compatible with the equipment and pipes; use of optimized emulsion breakers in a phase separator, selected for best results with the fluids produced by the well, to accelerate the separation of oil from the fluids, and to lower the residual oil content in the fluids to levels compatible with environmental regulations; and use of a multi-phase pump to pump the oil and gas hydrocarbons produced and reinject them in a pipeline under pressure.

Abstract: A method for recycling an invert emulsion based drilling fluid, in which the invert emulsion based drilling fluid includes an oil component and an aqueous component. The method includes: mixing the invert emulsion drilling fluid with a emulsion clearing agent, wherein the emulsion clearing agent is a mixture of an anionic tensid and a non-ionic tensid; and separating the oil component of the invert emulsion drilling fluid from the aqueous component of the invert emulsion drilling fluid. The method preferably utilizes an emulsion breaking agent that is a combination of an anionic tensid, a non-ionic tensid and an alkyl polyglycoside tensid.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing phosphate from swimming pool waters are disclosed. The compositions include both soluble and substantially insoluble lanthanide carboxylates, preferred examples being lanthanum glycolate and lactate. The methods include the addition of the lanthanide compounds to the bulk of the pool water, but preferably involve the loading of the pool filter with the composition and the circulation of pool water through the filter to effect the removal of dissolved phosphate in the water.

Abstract: A process for removing zinc from organic solutions comprising zinc alkoxides or zinc amides, includes admixing the solution with an alkylating, arylating, acylating or silylating agent in the presence of a precipitating reagent having at least two nitrogen donors and subsequently removing the precipitated solid.

Abstract: One method for purifying a chitosan starting material includes contacting it with at least one treatment agent selected from a protein-complexing agent, a metal-chelating agent, and a metal-complexing agent under pH conditions effective for forming a water insoluble chitosan precipitate and at least one water soluble material selected from a water soluble protein complex, a water soluble metal chelate, and a water soluble metal complex. Another variant involves solubilizing the chitosan starting material in an aqueous solution to produce an intermediate chitosan material. The intermediate chitosan material is contacted with a deproteinization agent and/or a demetallization agent under pH conditions effective for forming a water insoluble chitosan precipitate and at least one water soluble material that includes the pre-existing impurity. In both methods, the water insoluble chitosan precipitate and the water soluble material are separated resulting in a purified chitosan material.

Abstract: The invention provides new methods for purifying and concentrating viruses. The inventors have discovered that high molecular weight proteoglycans present in retroviral stocks are co-concentrated with the retroviruses, and can inhibit retroviral transduction. The new purification and concentration methods feature treatment of virus stock with an anionic polyelectrolyte and a cationic polyelectrolyte, followed by centrifugation. The new methods minimize the amount of proteoglycan co-precipitated with the infectious virus.

Abstract: A new method of improving the process of dewatering fine particulate materials is disclosed. In this method, an aqueous slurry of fine particles is treated with appropriate hydrophobizing reagents so that the particulate material becomes moderately hydrophobic with its water contact angle considerably below 90°. A low hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) number surfactant is then added to the slurry, so that the surfactant molecules adsorb on the moderately hydrophobic surface primarily by hydrophobic attraction and, thereby, increase its contact angle close to or above 90°. By virtue of the greatly enhanced hydrophobicity, the water molecules adhering to the surface are destabilized and removed more readily by a mechanical dewatering process. Any nonionic surfactant with its HLB number below about 15 may be used for the hydrophobicity enhancement. The surfactants may be used in conjunction with appropriate solvents such as light hydrocarbon oils and short-chain alcohols.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process to produce brine of improved purity by dissolving salt that contains a calcium sulfate source in water, in the presence of a retarding agent, while using one or more co-retardants to bind contaminants that could interfere with the retarding agents.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for removing phosphate from swimming pool waters are disclosed. The compositions include both soluble and substantially insoluble lanthanide carboxylates, preferred examples being lanthanum glycolate and lactate. The methods include the addition of the lanthanide compounds to the bulk of the pool water, but preferably involve the loading of the pool filter with the composition and the circulation of pool water through the filter to effect the removal of dissolved phosphate in the water.

Abstract: Water purification using organic salts. Feed water is mixed with at least one organic salt at a temperature sufficiently low to form organic salt hydrate crystals and brine. The crystals are separated from the brine, rinsed, and melted to form an aqueous solution of organic salt. Some of the water is removed from the aqueous organic salt solution. The purified water is collected, and the remaining more concentrated aqueous organic salt solution is reused.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides purification devices for reducing the amount of contaminants in water, each device includes a water-soluble flocculant disposed within a body defining a multiplicity of pores, wherein the pores have an average diameter in the range of from 1 &mgr;m to 2000 &mgr;m. The present invention also provides methods for reducing the amount of contaminants in water.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for removing a contaminant from dental effluents and includes transporting a three-phase effluent through a suction line into a particle collection vessel, introducing a suction line cleaning solution which includes a reagent into the suction line, and introducing the three phase effluent and the line cleaning solution into the collection vessel, wherein the effluent separates into solid, liquid, and gas phases in the collection vessel and the reagent includes a flocculant and/or a precipitant, and removing the gaseous and liquid phases from the collection vessel. The contaminant includes mercury, lead, and arsenic.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing the dewatering of sand are disclosed. The methods include adding an anionic or nonionic surfactant to the wet sand prior to dewatering.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly method and composition is provided for removing hydrogen sulphide from fluids at high pH. The method and composition are particularly suited for removing hydrogen sulphide from drilling fluids used in drilling boreholes in hydrocarbon bearing subterranean formations, and are suitable for use with any drilling fluid, including polymer based drilling fluids. The sulphide scavenger used in the method and composition is a ferrous gluconate, an organic iron chelating agent stable at pH as high as 11.5, the pH preferred for drilling fluids that may encounter hydrogen sulphide. Further, this additive has been found to enhance the resilience of the rheological properties of drilling fluids to hot rolling and comparable field conditions.

Abstract: A process for extracting from aqueous solution the alkali metal or calcium salt of a halo or haloalkyl substituted 2-hydroxypyridine, or a 2-hydroxyquinoline or 2-hydroxybenzothiazole which comprises contacting an aqueous alkaline or neutral solution of the alkali metal or calcium salt, in which is dissolved an alkali metal fluoride, chloride, bromide, hydroxide, sulphate, sulphite, cyanate, cyanide, thiocyanate, thiosulphate, sulphide, phosphate, hydrogen phosphate, carbonate, bicarbonate, borate, chlorate, hypochlorite, perchlorate, nitrite, chromate, dichromate or permanganate or calcium chloride, bromide, nitrate, nitrite, chlorate, hypochlorite, perchlorate, thiocyanate, thiosulphate, chromate, dichtromate or permanganate, with a partially water-miscible organic solvent so as to transfer aqueous solution of the alkali metal or calcium salt of the 2-hydroxypyridine, 2-hydroxyquinoline or 2-hydroxybenzothiazole into the solvent whilst retaining separate aqueous and solvent phases, and thereafter separating

Abstract: A method of disposing of photographic silver halide processing solutions including developer, bleach and at least one silver bearing solution comprising a) combining the developer and bleach solutions to oxidize the developing agent in the developer and form a developer/bleach waste solution, b) treating the silver bearing solution(s) to reduce the silver ion level and form a low silver waste solution; and c) contacting the developer/bleach waste solution and the low silver waste solution with an absorbent material to form an apparently dry waste material having a leachable silver ion level below 5 ppm.

Abstract: A method for reducing the toxicity of onium compounds, such as ammonium compounds and phosphonium compounds, by the use of certain additives is described. Suitable additives include, but are not necessarily limited to, carboxylic acids (e.g. naphthenic acids), sulfonic acids, organophosphonic acids, phenolic compounds, ether sulfates, phosphoric acid esters, sulfonated fatty acids, sulfated fatty acids, oligocarboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof, and alkali metal salts of these compounds and amine salts of these compounds.

Abstract: A method of conditioning an activated sludge in a membrane biological reactor comprising (i) adding to the activated sludge an effective amount of at least one water soluble cationic polymer to form a mixture of water and coagulated and flocculated suspended solids; and (ii) separating the coagulated and flocculated suspended solids from the water by filtering through an ultrafiltration or microfiltration membrane.

Abstract: A method of reducing scaling in an alkaline treatment liquor circuit in a metal ore treatment process, in which metal ore is digested in an alkaline medium in a digestion stage to form a suspension of ore residue solids in an aqueous liquor containing metal values, separating the solids from the liquor in a separation stage and then transferring the aqueous liquor containing metal values to a metal values recovery circuit from which the metal values are precipitated and separated from the alkaline liquor, wherein scaling of the surfaces is reduced by introducing into the alkaline liquor an effective amount of polymeric scale suppressant, characterised in that the polymeric suppressant comprises an ammonium or alkali metal salt of a polymer having an average molecular weight below 50,000 and which is a copolymer comprising 30 to 99 weight % ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid moieties and 1 to 70 weight % isobutyl (meth) acrylate moieties.

Abstract: This invention refers to the use of surface-active agents as a treatment of effluents containing acetic derivatives by tangential filtration characterized from aqueous solutions containing between 20 and 35% in weight of acetic derivatives having been optionally decanted and filtered in a conventional manner in order to remove suspended impurities, which undergo the addition of one or more surface-active agents, while submitted to the tangential filtration process via polymer membranes, the cutting range of which may vary between 0.001 and 0.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of separating sulfate-ion pair complexes from aqueous streams. The method involves the steps of: (a) concentrating and distilling an aqueous stream containing inorganic material by membrane distillation; (b) adding a non-hazardous miscible organic solvent to the concentrated aqueous stream in an amount effective to form inorganic precipitates comprising at least a portion of sulfate and polyvalent cations; (c) removing at least most of the organic solvent from the aqueous stream by vacuum membrane distillation; and (d) after step (c), removing at least most of the inorganic precipitates from the aqueous stream.

Abstract: An improved method of treating wastewater to remove ammonia and fluoride is provided. The method comprises the steps of chemical destruction of ammonia with an oxidizing agent, followed by treatment with calcium salts to precipitate insoluble calcium fluoride, and filtration to remove the precipitate.

Abstract: A method of conditioning mixed liquor in a membrane biological reactor comprising adding to the mixed liquor an effective coagulating and flocculating amount of one or more water soluble cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic polymers, or combination thereof and methods of reducing membrane fouling, enhancing membrane flux and reducing sludge production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering copper from solutions from the recovery of iodine from industrial wastes from the production of ionic and non-ionic iodinated X-ray contrast agents by use of chelating resins suitable for removing copper from aqueous solutions. The absorbed copper is displaced by treating the resins with a 10% hydrochloric or sulfuric acid solution.

Abstract: A method is describe for removing metal ions of interest from aqueous solutions containing low concentrations of the metal ions of interest. The method involves the use of a microbially produced polymer, &ggr;-glutamic acid. The polymer is used in conjunction with tangential flow filtration and results in substantial removal of metal ions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for dewatering sewage sludges using plate filters, wherein the flocculated sewage sludge treated by means of organic polymer flocculation aids and optionally other auxiliary agents is separated from the major amount of water of the flocculated sewage sludge on a plate filter by means of hydrostatic filtration, whereafter the partially dewatered sewage sludge is subjected to pressure filtration. The plate filters employed have filtrate outlet systems permitting filtrate discharge at a flow rate of 1.0 m/s at maximum. By conducting the process in this way, the dewatering capacity is substantially increased.

Abstract: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods and systems are disclosed that combine parallel chromatographic separation of a plurality of samples with a detection technique that involves post-separation treatment of the plurality of samples to enhance one or more properties of the sample or of a component thereof, followed by detection of the one or more enhanced properties. Selective, tunable detection schemes are achievable, and are particularly advantageous as applied in connection with combinatorial chemistry, combinatorial material science and more particularly, combinatorial synthesis and screening of polymeric materials.

Abstract: A method is described for separating, retrieving and concentrating platelets from whole blood relying on aggregation of the platelets followed by filtration. This method eliminates the need of a centrifuge for separating said cells from blood. To obtain cellular concentrates of platelets, blood is mixed with compatible agents that will aggregate cells while retaining contained growth factors. The resulting aggregates can then be separated from blood by filtration. If desired, the filter-captured aggregates are subject to a brief washing cycle where they are washed clean of residual aggregating agent, plasma, and red cells. Aggregates can then be partly or wholly deaggregated and the cells retrieved. The result is a suspension of cells and small aggregates with therapeutic levels of concentrated blood cells with included growth factors that are available for delivery to a wound site. A device that accomplishes the aforementioned process is also described.

Abstract: Novel sulfur-containing ligands for binding of heavy metals are disclosed. The ligands incorporate a central ring structure and pendant alkyl-thiol chains.