Abstract: When flocculating an aqueous suspension of suspended solids using a high molecular weight synthetic polymeric flocculant the shear stability of the flocs is increased if the polymeric material includes polymeric particles of below 10 .mu.m dry size. The flocculated solids can therefore be subjected to shear without increasing the amount of discrete suspended solids in the aqueous medium and generally they are suspended to shear by shearing the aqueous medium containing them, either before dewatering, generally on a centrifuge, piston press or belt press, or by continuously agitating them, for instance in a chemical reaction medium. The polymeric material is generally formed by mixing into water polymeric particles made by reverse phase or emulsion polymerization in the presence of added cross linking agent. Alternatively particles insolubilized by insoluble monomer may be used. A reverse phase dispersion of water soluble polymer may be used if the particles remain undissolved, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating water and oil from a sludge which contains water, oil and solids which method comprises (1) contacting the sludge with an effective amount of 1 or more surfactants chosen and balanced to form certain types of microemulsions with equal volumes of decane and 3% aqueous NaCl, (2) mixing said surfactants and sludge with sufficient agitation to obtain a uniform mixture, (3) allowing said mixture to stand under gravitational settling or centrifugation to obtain the separation from the bottom sediment of an aqueous phase which may contain solubilized oil with or without an additional floating oil phase, (4) decanting separately the oil and aqueous phases and (5) further treating the aqueous phase with heat and/or NaCl to separate the solubilized oil or further treating the bottom sediment with selected surfactants to release adhering oil.

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 device and method for permitting the separation of plasma or serum from whole blood. The device comprises a matrix of hydrophilic sintered porous material to which at least one red blood cell agglutinating agent has been applied. According to a first method of using the device, a sample of whole blood is applied to a first end of the matrix and the red blood cells within the sample come in contact with the agglutinating agents present in the matrix. The blood cells agglutinate, and are entrapped in the interstices of the matrix, while substantially blood-cell-free serum or plasma accumulates near the outlet of the device. A filter means in liquid receiving relationship with the matrix functions to wick the serum or plasma from the matrix.According to an alternative aspect of the invention, a filter means in liquid receiving relationship with the outlet of the matrix functions to retain any blood cells which pass through the matrix is the filter means wicks the plasma or serum from the matrix.

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: 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: A process for separating dissolved organic solutes from a solution is provided. The process includes the steps of mixing the solution with a surfactant in order that the surfactant absorbs substantially all of the organic solutes and forms a surfactant/organic solute aggregate. The aggregate is then separated from the solution by either reducing the solubility of the surfactant, ultrafiltration of the solution or foam fractionation of the solution. If it is desired to re-use the surfactant, the surfactant/organic solute aggregate is further treated in order to desorb the organic solutes from the surfactant.

Abstract: Process for controlling the breaking of an oil-in-water emulsion using an organic emulsion breaker comprising the steps of:A. adding the organic emulsion breaker to the emulsion by slow intermittent or continuous addition to produce a broken water phase;B. continuously passing a beam of light through the broken water phase;C. continuing the slow addition of the organic emulsion breaker to the broken water phase;D. continuously or intermittently measuring both the unadsorbed light passing through the broken water phase and the light scattered forward by oil droplets in the broken water phase;E. determining from the measurements in step D, the turbidity of the broken water phase; andF. discontinuing the addition of organic breaker when the turbidity reaches a first minimum value following a maximum value.

Abstract: For water-treatment in swimming pools, cooling towers, hot tubs, and other systems, it is desired to feed various chemicals in small quantities but at optimum rates into the system. In several embodiments of the invention the water is recirculated through the system which usually includes a filter. It has been discovered that the chemicals can be fed by enclosing them in generally spherical plastic capsules suggestive of table tennis balls, but about the size of a base ball. 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, upon the solubility of the chemical, and upon the flow rate of the water through a strainer, skimmer, or other chamber in the system into which the capsule is introduced. The random orientation of the capsule tends to average out variations.

Abstract: A cross linked high molecular weight polymer formed from a water soluble monomer or blend of monomers and which has IV and/or solubility and/or rheology properties indicating that it would be unsuitable for use as a flocculant can be used as a flocculant after shearing the polymeric material. The shearing may be applied to the polymeric material before addition to the suspension that is to be flocculated or can be applied to the suspensionthat is being flocculated. The shearing increases the intrinsic viscosity of the polymeric material and can improve its rheology and solubility. The polymeric material must be of high molecular weight.

Abstract: A method for separating liquids, particularly hydrocarbons from water, whereby a small amount of a high molecular weight polymer is dissolved in the hydrocarbon to render it viscoelastic. A hydrocarbon layer is then mechanically removed from the water in a manner which causes rapid stretching of the hydrocarbon with attendant development of elastic properties in the hydrocarbon layer. The polymer may be applied to the surface of the hydrocarbon as droplets of a relatively concentrated polymer solution or as solid particulates having a polymer core covered by a powdered solid material which is non-reactive toward the polymer.

Abstract: Oil is dehydrated and/or desalted by the influence of a dewatering and desalting formulation which can be characterized as an admixture of (i) a demulsifier preferably an alkylene oxide alkyl phenol-formaldehyde condensate such as a poly ethoxylated nonylphenolformaldehyde condensate and (ii) a deoiler which is usefully a polyol such as ethylene glycol or poly (ethylene glycol) of Mw ranging from 106 to 44,000 and preferably ethylene glycol.The aqueous formulation may usefully contain a cosolvent such as isopropanol.

Abstract: When flocculating an aqueous suspension of suspended solids using a high molecular weight synthetic polymeric flocculant, the shear stability of the flocs is increased if the polymeric material includes polymeric particles of below 10 .mu.m dry size. The flocculated solids can therefore be subjected to shear without increasing the amount of discrete suspended solids in the aqueous medium and generally they are subjected to shear by shearing the aqueous medium containing them, either before dewatering, generally on a centrifuge, piston press or belt press, or by continuously agitating them, for instance in a chemical reaction medium. The polymeric material is generally formed by mixing into water polymeric particles made by reverse phase or emulsion polymerization in the presence of added cross linking agent. Alternatively, particles insolubilized by insoluble monomer may be used. A reverse phase dispersion of water soluble polymer may be used if the particles remain undissolved, e.g.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for improving the utilization of water-soluble, high molecular weight (molecular weight above about 1,000,000) polyelectrolytes in the dewatering of aqueous suspensions. By aging a mixture of the polyelectrolyte and water for a period of at least 6 hours to form an aged solution the amount of polyelectrolyte required to effectively dewater an aqueous suspension may be reduced to as little as 50% of the amount required when an unaged solution is used.

Abstract: The flocculation performance, for instance on low pressure or other pressure filtration (such as a belt press), of a solution of a high molecular weight organic polymeric flocculant having IV above 4 is improved by subjecting the solution to degradation, preferably by mechanical shear such as through a Silverson mixer or by a fast rotating blade.

Abstract: A process for flocculating solid fines from a solution comprising said solid fine and an organic liquid which comprises the steps of:(a) adding with mixing about 5 to about 10,000 ppm of an unneutralized or neutralized sulfonated polystyrene to said solution; and(b) heating at about 25.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. for about 1 to abou 45 minutes the mixture of said solution and said neutralized or unneutralized polystyrene.

Abstract: Particulate materials in aqueous media such as heat exchange systems are dispersed by introducing into the system a polymer blend comprising about 50 to 99% by weight of (A) a water-soluble, dissociating, low molecular weight polymer of at least one alpha, beta-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and about 50 to 1% by weight of (B) a water-soluble, dissociating, lower molecular weight polymer selected from (1) vinyl aromatic polymers and (2) polymers of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid. A typical polymer blend comprises, in neutralized form, (A) polyacrylic acid terminated with thioglycolic acid and (B) a polymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride.

Abstract: A process for flocculating solid fines from a solution comprising said solid fines and an organic liquid which comprises the steps of: (a) adding with mixing about 100 to about 500 ppm of an unneutralized or neutralized sulfonated polystyrene to said solution of solid fines; and (b) adding with mixing about 5 to about 25 weight percent of an antisolvent to the mixture of the sulfonated polystyrene and said solution of said solid fines.

Abstract: A used foundry sand, especially one which has been bonded using sodium silicate binder, is reclaimed by agitating the sand with water in a plenum chamber having a suspended floor comprising a porous membrane, stopping the agitation and allowing the solids to settle on the floor. The water passes through and the sand settles on the floor, and the finer particles may then be removed e.g. by air elutriation. Preferably the water mixed with the sand has a pH below 10 and contains a flocculant, and the water recovered from the vessel has suspended solids content below 500 mg/liter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a one-component formulation for detackifying, precipitating and coagulating anti-chipping coatings and underseal based on waxes, wax-like plastics and plastics dispersions and also synthic resin paints in wet paint mist separators of paint-spraying installations, using an additive which envelops the paint particles, which formulation comprises, as the additive, an aqueous polyurethane suspension which produces a paint sludge floating on the surface of the water.The invention also relates to the use of the above one-component formulation for detackifying, precipitating and coagulating synthetic resin paints and anti-chipping coatings and underseal based on waxes, wax-like plastics and plastics dispersions and also synthetic resin paints in wet separators of paint-spraying installations, a floating paint sludge being obtained.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel apparatus and process for the complete dewatering of sludge containing hazardous and toxic materials, the stabilization of pathogens and microorganisms contained in the sludge and the disintegration and volume reduction of the resultant solids including a blending chamber for the blending of sludge and a predetermined amount of electrolyte, the partial dewatering of the sludge and electrolyte in a filter unit, the adjustment of the resultant filter cake to a desired thickness and the measurement of the conductivity of the filter cake and the transporting of the filter cake to a disintegration chamber where the filter cake is introduced to an automatically-adjustable source of electrical energy reducing the filter cake to particulate solids and where the filter cake conductivity measurements are communicated to the blending station and the source of electrical energy for the automatic adjustment of same.

Abstract: A method of separating a first polypeptide fraction from a second polypeptide fraction of a mixed solution is disclosed. A predetermined charged polymer is admixed with the mixed solution preferably in the presence of a neutral polymer. The charged polymer interacts with the first fraction to form a precipitate. The neutral polymer enhances the effectiveness of the charged polymer in precipitating the first fraction. By proper selection of the polymer combination the desired polypeptide fraction can be precipitated from solution leaving the other polypeptide fraction in solution or vice versa.

Abstract: Oil is dehydrated and/or desalted by the influence of a dewatering and desalting formulation which can be characterized as an admixture of (i) a demulsifier preferably an alkylene oxide alkyl phenol-formaldehyde condensate such as a poly ethoxylated nonylphenol-formaldehyde condensate and (ii) a deoiler which is usefully a polyol such as ethylene glycol or poly (ethylene glycol) of Mw ranging from 106 to 44,000 and preferably ethylene glycol.The aqueous formulation may usefully contain a cosolvent such as isopropanol.

Abstract: A method for dehydrating sludge, and particularly sewage sludge, includes adding a particulate, thermally expanded volcanic material and a polyelectrolyte to said sludge prior to filtration, said volcanic material having a bulk density of less than 0.09 kg/liter and an average particle size ranging from 20 to 300 microns.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for the extraction of oil from an aqueous phase with the use of a sulfonated polymer as an extracting agent.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process for the extraction of oil from an aqueous phase with the use of a sulfonated polymer as an extracting agent.

Abstract: Polysaccharide gums, such as guar gum, are removed from an aqueous liquid by agglomerating the gum with a low molecular weight, water-soluble copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride and separating the agglomerate from the aqueous liquid.

Abstract: There are employed water soluble low molecular weight polycondensation products produced by the condensation of acrolein and formaldehyde in a molar ratio between 1:1 and 1:10 in aqueous or aqueous-organic medium in the presence of a basic catalyst for the elimination of hydrogen sulfide and iron sulfide present in aqueous systems. The condensation reaction can also be carried out in the additional presence of water soluble monohydric or polyhydric alcohols and/or acid amides.

Abstract: A method for forming a three-dimensional network containing encapsulated organic material comprises reacting a functionalized polymer and a complementary functional cross-linking agent in the presence of the organic material. The method may be used for recovering oil spilled on sea or land, for treating organic wastes or preventing leakage of oil from tanks or pipelines.

Abstract: During the final stages of Al(OH).sub.3 production, deliquoring the aluminum trihydroxide slurry of excess sodium ions in the form of caustic liquor is conventionally achieved by numerous water washes prior to drying the product. Addition of an effective amount of highly charged, high molecular weight anionic polymer flocculant to the aluminum trihydroxide slurry improves the filtration rate, i.e., increases the amount and rate of removal of caustic liquor from the slurry. Addition of the flocculant reduces the amount of washing necessary to remove sodium ions from the final cake and also provides higher cake solids which results in greater production per unit time and less expenditure of energy in the drying process. Anionic polymers derived from 80 to 100% of an anionic vinyl monomer such as acrylic acid and from 20 to 0% of a nonionic vinyl monomer such as acrylamide having molecular weights between 1.5 to 12.0.times.10.sup.6 are useful in deliquoring aluminum trihydroxide slurries.

Abstract: In the separation of solids out of a flushing liquid such as used in flushing out boreholes and the like drilled or cut in rock, concrete, masonry and similar materials, a flocculant is added to the flushing liquid before it enters a settling tank so that the removal of the solids is accelerated. As a result, a supply of flushing liquid, free from solids, is always available from the settling tank. The flushing liquid flow is directed through the feed line into the settling tank. Before the liquid enters the settling tank it is passed in contact with a flocculant so that the liquid picks up a dosed quantity of the flocculant. To assure the optimum effect, after contacting the flocculant, the liquid is mixed and then passed into the settling tank.

Abstract: An amphoteric water-in-oil self-inverting polymer emulsion is prepared which contains a copolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer and (2) an amphoteric vinyl monomer or a terpolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer, (2) an anionic vinyl monomer and (3) a cationic vinyl monomer in the aqueous phase, a hydrocarbon oil for the oil phase, a water-in-oil emulsifying agent and an inverting surfactant. An example of a copolymer is a copolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer such as acrylamide or methacrylamide and (2) an amphoteric vinyl monomer such as a reaction product of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and monochloroacetic acid. An example of a terpolymer is a terpolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer such as acrylamide or methacrylamide, (2) an anionic vinyl monomer such as sodium acrylate and (3) a cationic vinyl monomer such as a triethyl ammonium ethyl methacrylate methosulfate salt.

Abstract: A method for the removal of liquid or solid impurities from an impurities-containing liquid mixture wherein the impurities immiscible or occasionally miscible with the liquid medium are emulsified or finely suspended in the liquid medium, which comprises kneading the impurities-containing liquid mixture with a viscoelastic material having an affinity with said impurities and having substantially no affinity with said liquid medium, and thereby having the viscoelastic material take up the impurities and separating out the purified liquid medium. According to this method, various liquid wastes can be purified, and noble resources can be recovered from the wastes and re-used, and the separated liquid medium, particularly aqueous medium which is not useful can be thrown away without encountering problems of environmental pollution.

Abstract: A novel process for the selective removal of cadmium ions from aqueous media such as sewage by contacting the aqueous media with an effective amount of at least one water-insoluble organic polysulfide compound to selectively remove the cadmium ions and separating the polysulfide compounds.

Abstract: Spilled liquid hydrocarbon products ranging from crude oil to refined fractions and discrete compounds are converted from a liquid to a gel or to a semi-solid or solid state by contacting a liquid petroleum product with a slurry of cryogenically comminuted polymer particles in a liquified refrigerant gas. The technique is particularly appropriate for control of oil spills in a water environment wherein the oil is either floating on or dispersed in water. Contact of the polymer particles with liquid hydrocarbons results in virtually instantaneous solvation of the polymer in the hydrocarbon to produce a cohesive gel or a semi-solid to solid material at a polymer concentration ranging generally from about 0.2% to 1% for gel formation and from about 1% to 30% for formation of a semi-solid to solid material based on hydrocarbon weight.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumem from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are water soluble polyethers prepared by the reaction between certain diepoxides and poly(ethyleneoxy) glycols. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for effectively and efficiently separating blood components by means of sedimentation action due to gravitational force are disclosed. The blood to be separated is continuously passed through a blood flow channel comprising plural flat empty spaces each having a thickness of, for example, 20 mm or less, or a plurality of tubular empty spaces each having a sectional area of, for example, 3 cm or less. An opening for a feed line is provided in a first empty space of the apparatus and two or more openings for discharge lines of the separated blood components are provided in a second empty space. These empty spaces are connected with the blood flow channel.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are water soluble salts of polymers prepared by the reaction between certain polyoxyalkylene diamines with diepoxides. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are polymers of diquaternary ammonium monomers containing hydroxyl groups. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: An aqueous slurry of a water-insoluble or slightly water-soluble metal hydroxide can be effectively filtrated and dehydrated by adding an anionic surfactant of the following formula (I):R--O--AO--.sub.n X (I)wherein R represents an alkyl or alkenyl group of 8-24 carbon atoms, A represents an alkyene group of 2-4 carbon atoms, X represents SO.sub.3 M (M being H, K, Na or NH.sub.4), PO.sub.3 M (M being K or Na) or CH.sub.2 COOM (M being K or Na), and n represents an interger of 1-100,to the aqueous slurry of the metal hydroxide or to the washing water.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are branched water-soluble quaternary ammonium-containing polymers. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A process is provided for enhancing oil recovery from an oily sludge containing a solid phase, an oil phase and a water phase by adding a positively charged latex flocculant to such sludge and immediately thereafter adding a chemical emulsion breaker which is negatively charged or nonionic, while controlling the proportions of said flocculant and said emulsion breaker to cause the entrapped oil phase to detach from the floc surface of the adsorptive solids and go into the water phase, and mechanically separating the oil from the solids and water.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are cationic polymers of equal to or greater than about 2,000 molecular weight obtained by the reaction of polyalkoxydiamines with epihalohydrins. To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions is disclosed wherein water soluble demulsifiers are used. These demulsifiers are combinations of chemical agents comprising(a) poly(amidoamine) or poly(ester-amine) salts, and(b) polycarbonates.To resolve the bituminous petroleum emulsions, the process is carried out between 25.degree. and 160.degree. C. wherein the demulsifier of the invention is contacted with the bituminous emulsion.

Abstract: Certain water-soluble substituted phenol formaldehyde type copolymers retain their viscosities in high brine environments and are highly useful as surfactant-mobility control agents in oil recovery processes.

Abstract: A process for the production of a zero valent metal from an aqueous solution of a salt of the metal comprises contacting the solution with polyacetylene for a period of time sufficient to reduce at least a portion of the metal salt to a zero valent metal while leaving the polyacetylene in a substantially non-doped state. The metal salt has a reduction potential of about +0.5V or greater.

Abstract: Compounds represented by the formula ##STR1## and addition polymers thereof where m is an integer from 2 to about 10, X- is chlorine, hydroxy, carboxy or-AC-R).dbd.CH.sub.2-R is hydrogen or methyl, -R' is an ethylene or propylene group and-AC-R).dbd.CH.sub.2is one of ##STR2## These compounds and their addition polymers form complexes with alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts and permit the concentration of aqueous solutions of said salts. For example, a compound of the formula ##STR3## is polymerized with an azobis(isobutyronitrile) catalyst to form addition polymers of the repeating unit ##STR4## When cross-linked, rendering it water-insoluble, such an addition polymer concentrates an aqueous solution of sodium chloride when contacted with same at about 0.degree. C.

Abstract: An amphoteric water-in-oil self-inverting polymer emulsion is prepared which contains a copolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer and (2) an amphoteric vinyl monomer or a terpolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer, (2) an anionic vinyl monomer and (3) a cationic vinyl monomer in the aqueous phase, a hydrocarbon oil for the oil phase, a water-in-oil emulsifying agent and an inverting surfactant. An example of a copolymer is a copolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer such as acrylamide or methacrylamide and (2) an amphoteric vinyl monomer such as a reaction product of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate and monochloroacetic acid. An example of a terpolymer is a terpolymer of (1) a nonionic vinyl monomer such as acrylamide or methacrylamide, (2) an anionic vinyl monomer such as sodium acrylate and (3) a cationic vinyl monomer such as a triethyl ammonium ethyl methacrylate methosulfate salt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for washing and recovering raw coal with no more than about 5% moisture and coal fines down to 200 mesh is disclosed. A complete washing plant having the ability to wash raw contaminated coal is disclosed. However, this invention is directed toward methods and apparatus for processing the coal slurry or effluent, and the wet coal obtained from a coal washing plant which methods and apparatus recovers coal fines down to 28 mesh. The apparatus and method of this invention separates the slurry which includes coal fines and contaminant material below 28 mesh by various screening and centrifugal processes such that coal fines down to 200 mesh are recovered. In addition, the methods and apparatus include various screens and centrifugal dryers for drying the wet coal thus recovering even more coal fines and reducing the moisture. The method and apparatus processes the effluents which include water and the contaminant materials such that the contaminant solids are removed from the water.

Abstract: Efficient dewatering of slimes is achieved by admixing the slimes with a flocculating agent, followed by mechanical manipulation to effect rapid removal of water and consolidation of solids. The required mechanical manipulation may be accomplished, e.g., by tumbling the mixture through a rotating cylindrical screen or by passing it across a vibrating screen.