Abstract: A process for removing cyanide anions from waste waters using halogen-free ferric salts is disclosed. The process is particularly effective when treatment of cyanide waste waters is done by adding ferric sulfate while adjusting pH of the waste waters with a halogen-free acid, such as sulfuric acid, to a pH ranging from about 3.0 to 5.0.The ferric ferricyanides formed are agglomerated and flocculated using synthetic polymers along with whatever other dispersed or suspended solids may be present in the waste waters, and this dense sludge is separated in a clarifier. Cyanide removal is at least 80%, relative to initial cyanide concentrations, and preferably 90% removal or higher.Cyanide wastes from coke oven off gas scrubbing waters are particularly waste waters amenable to this treatment.

Abstract: A process for removing inorganic gels and dispersed, particulate incompressible solids from a highly acid aqueous slurry (e.g., pH of -2 to +3) and a soluble metallic chloride content (e.g., 3 to 50%) involving rapidly and intimately contacting the slurry with a cationic Mannich polyacrylamide of molecular 4-15 million until a desired amount of gel and particulate solids are flocculated. By slowly and gently mixing a floc of the desired size is formed which is then removed. The process is especially suited for treating slurries produced by water quenching the hot metal chlorides and blowover ore and coke from a TiO.sub.2 chlorinator after TiCl.sub.4 has been removed.

Abstract: Novel compositions comprising cationic polymeric microparticles are disclosed, along with a method for their production. The products are useful in flocculating a wide variety of dispersions of suspended solids.

Abstract: Copolymers of an acrylic compound and a polymerizable quaternary ammonium compound are useful as flotation-aids for removing oils and/or solid materials from aqueous systems. The polymerizable quaternary ammonium compounds are 1-alkoxy-2-hydroxy propyl quaternaries of N-(N'N'-dialkylaminoalkyl)acrylamides.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater including a heat-curable (meth)acrylic monomer-containing composition, at temperature below that necessary to effect heat-curing of the composition. The wastewater may be produced by aqueous washing of porous parts impregnated with a sealant composition containing such monomer. The monomer-containing wastewater is (1) adjusted in pH to a value in the range of from about 8 to about 10, and (2) contacted with an effective amount of a reducing agent which is polymerizingly effective for the monomer, to yield corresponding polymer from the monomer. The wastewater is mixed with a cationic flocculating agent in sufficient quantity to flocculate the polymer in the wastewater, and the resulting wastewater is physically separated to recover a monomer- and polymer-reduced wastewater effluent which may be discharged to receiving waters.

Abstract: Poly(diallylamine) blended with poly(N-methylolacrylamide) effectively detackifies over-sprayed paint in the circulating water of a wet paint spray booth operation. After detackification the dispersed paint is flocculated with hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, the paint waste is removed, and the clarified water is recirculated back into the paint spray booth operation.

Abstract: Water-in-oil emulsion polymers of cationic acrylamides to which are added small quantities of chain transfer agents. These polymers are useful as flocculants in sludge dewatering processes.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater containing (meth)acrylic monomer, such as is produced by aqueous washing of porous parts impregnated with a sealant composition containing such monomer. The monomer-containing wastewater is (1) adjusted in pH to a value in the range of from about 8 to about 10, and (2) contacted with an effective amount of a reducing agent which is polymerizingly effective for the monomer, to yield corresponding polymer from the monomer. The wastewater is mixed with a cationic flocculating agent in sufficient quantity to flocculate the polymer in the wastewater, and the resulting wastewater is physically separated to recover a monomer- and polymer-reduced wastewater effluent which may be discharged to receiving waters.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for reducing the turbidity of a Bayer process liquor containing a cationic polymer-humate complex comprising adding to said liquor a higher molecular weight, cationic polymer.

Abstract: Mannich (alk)acrylamide microparticles are produced at high solids contents without a significant increase in bulk viscosity by inverse microemulsion polymerization and provide superior dewatering characteristics.

Abstract: Improved water quality of overboard waters discharged from off-shore oil producing rigs is obtained by treating oily produced waters from a crude oil separator, and prior to exposure to air, with an effective coalescing amount of a combination of an iron chelating agent and various polymeric coagulating/coalescing agents. The preferred chelating agent is citric acid, or its salts, EDTA, HEDTA, or mixtures thereof. The polymeric coagulating/coalescing agents may be anionic, cationic, ampohoteric, but are most preferably copolymers of acrylamide with at least one of the monomers chosen from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, DMAEA, DMAEM, or their acid of quaternary salts, DADMAC, MAPTAC, AMPS, and the like.

Abstract: Oversprayed paint in a paint spray operation is detackified by dosing the water of the waste water system of such operation with a composition comprising a polymer and aluminum sulfate. The polymer contains at least about 10 mole percent of cationic mer units of monoethylenically unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: Suspended solids are separated from an aqueous suspension by mixing into the suspension first and second flocculants that would normally be incompatible in solution but which are added in the form of solids which dissolve into the suspension, and the resultant flocculated material is separated from the flocculated suspension.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the composition of a novel polymeric initiator and method for initiating the polymerization of vinyl monomers into water soluble polymers or block copolymers. The polymeric initiator has the formula: ##STR1## wherein M is H or a cation, R.sub.1 is a linear or branched lower alkylene group having from about 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is H or a lower alkyl group having from about 1 to 5 carbon atoms and n is from 1 to 10. The resulting water soluble block copolymers are very useful in sludge dewatering applications.

Abstract: The dewatering of waste industrial and municipal sludges is improved by the use of clay employed with an unsheared, water-soluble, branched cationic polymer having a solubility quotient greater than about 30% and a branching agent content of from about 4-80 molar parts per million, based on initial monomer content.

Abstract: A process for improving a solid/liquid separation of tails from acidulated or non-acidulated liquors obtained by leaching phosphate ores or waste comprising: adding a mixture of dissolved polymers of hydroxyalkyl cellulose and polyoxyethylene into an aqueous slurry of leached phosphate wastes to obtain flocks of phosphatic clay wastes; allowing said flocks to settle into an agglomerated mass; decanting luqiid from insoluble residues to obtain tails having a solid content from about 55 to 70%.

Abstract: A method of dewatering sludge is disclosed. This method comprises adding to the sludge an effective amount for the purpose of a polymer comprising repeat unit moieties of the compound methacryloxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, said polymer having an intrinsic viscosity of about 1.0 to about 4.5 dl/g.

Abstract: Process for the purifiying water using an effective proportion of a flocculating agent consisting of a reverse microlatex comprising a polymer of at least one water-soluble cationic vinyl monomer, which may be copolymerized with at least one water-soluble anionic or non-ionic vinyl monomer, possessing a molecular weight at least equal to 2.times.10.sup.6.The said microlatex is in the form of particles of a microlatex having a diameter of between 30 and 160 nm and its polydispersity index is between 1.05 and 1.2.

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: Sedimentation in an inherently colloidally stable mixture comprising a suspension of solids in a liquid is controlled by a five-step process. In the first step a mathematical model representing a relationship between certain parameters, namely area product, viscosity and a parameter related to zeta-potential, is created. In the second step, zones in the model in which there is undesirably high viscosity are identified, In the thrid step, a model sedimentation path which skirts the high viscosity zones is superimposed on the model. In the fourth step, the actual mixture under consideration is monitored during a sedimentation process to obtain actual measured values of any or all of the critical parameters. In the final step, the parameters are adjusted as necessary to fit actual measured values to values on the model sedimentation path.

Abstract: A novel method of treating circulating water containing over-sprayed water-based or solvent-based paint, such as in a paint spray booth operation, comprises adjusting the alkalinity of the paint spray booth water by adding an alkalinity source thereto, contacting the oversprayed paint with the alkalinity-adjusted water and with an alumina coated silica sol added to the water, adding an effective amount of a polymer floccing agent to the water, and removing resulting sludge from the water.

Abstract: An aqueous suspension of minerals and/or fillers and/or pigments having a solid content .gtoreq.60% by weight, the mineral or the filler or the pigment being dispersed with one or more dispersing agents, is characterized in that the dispersing agent contains one or more amphoteric polyelectrolytes and/or cationic polyelectrolytes and/or amphoteric cationoic polyelectrolytes and/or amphoteric anionic polyelectrolytes and/or partially neutralized anionic polyelectrolytes and/or partially neutralized amphoteric anionic polyelectrolytes, the filler and/or pigment and/or mineral particles carrying a charge neutral or positive to the outside.Furthermore is disclosed a process characterized in that a part of the polyelectrolytes according to the invention is added before the grinding, a part thereof may be added during the grinding and a part thereof may be added after the grinding. According to the invention grinding and dispersing is achieved in only one process step.

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: An apparatus for cleansing gray water from showers and the like and reclaiming the cleansed water for reuse comprises a receptacle and a conduit for delivering gray water to the receptacle. A sensor detects flow of gray water into the receptacle and injects cleansing agents into the flow in response to such detection. A drain conduit communicates with the upper portion of the receptacle for extracting floating contaminants from the surface of gray water therein and a valved conduit communicates with the bottom of the receptacle for selectively extracting sinking contaminates thereform. A pump is adapted to draw the resulting cleansed gray water from the receptacle and deliver it to a remote location for reuse as, for example, in flushing toilets.

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 non-polymeric getter compound in a dispersed state to remove dissolved contaminants or recover dissolved valuable materials. Suitable getter compounds having pendant long chain hydrocarbon radicals and complexing 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: 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: The process according to the invention for the separation of oil-in-water emulsions by treatment of the emulsions with organic ionic demulsifiers and/or inorganic demulsifiers comprises carrying out the separation in two steps by first adding an organic cationic demulsifier to the o/w emulsions, and then adding an inorganic demulsifier, separating the oil phase from the resulting two-phase system and then treating the aqueous phase first with an inorganic demulsifier and then with an organic anionic demulsifier.

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: A method for treating muddy water which comprises adding a first chemical containing an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal oxide or hydroxide to muddy water to be treated, thereby rendering muddy water alkaline, adding a second chemical containing an anionic polymer coagulant to muddy water simultaneously with or after the addition of the chemical, further adding a third chemical containing a sulfate thereby rendering the muddy water weakly alkaline, and then adding a fourth chemical containing an anionic polymer coagulant to muddy water. As a result, large-sized and hard flocs are produced.

Abstract: A method for resolving an oil-in-water emulsion by dosing the water to be resolved with a polymer produced by the emulsion polymerization of only hydrophobic monomers where at least one monomer is a neutral amine containing monomer which becomes hydrophilic when the amine is salified.

Abstract: A method of dehazing a contained body of petroleum distillate by removing suspended water droplets from the distillate phase, or releasing free water trapped in an emulsion settled from the distillate phase, a detergent having been added to the petroleum distillate, comprising the step of adding to the distillate an effective amount of a vinyl copolymer which includes both a hydrophilic and hydrophobic monomer.

Abstract: A method of treating starch-containing water comprises the step of adding water swellable, cationic polymerizate particles to the starch-containing water. The starch is soluble starch. The water-swellable cationic polymer particles are polymer particles of a crosslinking monomer and either a cationic vinyl monomer or a cationic vinyl monomer and a nonionic vinyl monomer.

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 is disclosed for clarifying water comprising dosing the water to be clarified with a copolymer produced by the emulsion polymerization of only hydrophobic monomers where at least one hydrophobic monomer is an amine containing monomer which is hydrophobic when the amine is neutral and hydrophilic when the amine is salified.

Abstract: Water soluble terpolymers based on (1) an acrylamide or acrylamide derivative, (2) a cationic vinyl monomer and (3) a hydrophilic vinyl monomer of the formula CH.sub.2 C(R)C(O)O(CH.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.m O).sub.n E where R and E are each hydrogen or alkyl, m is an integer from 1 to 3 and n is an integer from 1 to 25 are useful flocculants.

Abstract: A method for resolving emulsions produced in preparation of pharmaceuticals by fermentation and in other such bioprocesses is disclosed. The method comprises adding an effective amount of a demulsifier to an emulsion containing fermentation product that includes a pharmaceutical which is desired to be extracted from the emulsion.

Abstract: Co-polymers of diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride with up to 30 mole percent of a water soluble anionic monomer such as acrylic acid are superior coagulants for deinking process waters.

Abstract: Red mud in Bayer process liquors are flocculated using dextran and synthetic anionic polymer in the same stage, usually added separately to the liquor. The liquor may be the primary settler slurry, the secondary clarification liquor or one or more of the red mud washing stages. The process is of particular advantage where the liquors are high in carbonate content and/or total alkalinity.

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: 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: 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: 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: The present invention provides an improved biological sludge dewatering process. The process comprises the steps of: (a) heating biological sludge to a temperature of about 90.degree. to about 150.degree. C. which corresponds to a pressure of about 0 to about 55 psig and retaining the biological sludge at that temperature for less than about 15 minutes; (b) centrifuging the heated biological sludge to isolate the solids of the heated biological sludge from the liquid of the heated biological sludge; (c) chemically conditioning the isolated solids; and (d) dewatering the conditioned solids to produce a high solids biological sludge. The present process is used for dewatering any biological sludge to produce a high solids cake. The resulting high solids cake may be used as landfill, incinerated, or used as fertilizer by spreading on land and plowing said fertilizer into the soil.

Abstract: A method for treating industrial waste water prior to its discharge into the city or county sewer system is provided. The method includes introducing into the waste water an iron-containing compound, a hydroxide and a flocculating agent. This method results in the formation of a sludge cake layer on top of the waste water. The sludge cake is then removed, and the treated waste water is discharged into the sewer system.

Abstract: Novel compositions comprising cationic polymeric microparticles are disclosed, along with a method for their production. The products are useful in flocculating a wide variety of dispersions of suspended solids.

Abstract: A flotation collector is formed on a copolymer comprising (A) 2 to 95 mol % of a structural unit represented by the general formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H or methyl, Y is --O-- or --NH--, A is C.sub.1-4 alkylene, C.sub.2-4 hydroxyalkylene, or phenylene, and Z is ##STR2## wherein R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are independently H, C.sub.1-12 alkyl or C.sub.7-10 aralkyl and X.sup..crclbar. is anion pair, (B) 5 to 98 mol % of a structural unit represented by the general formula II: ##STR3## wherein R.sup.5 is H or methyl and W is C.sub.6-8 aryl, ##STR4## wherein n is 2 to 4 and m is 0 to 20, ##STR5## wherein R.sup.6 is C.sub.1-18 alkyl, C.sub.5-8 cycloalkyl, C.sub.7-10 aralkyl, or C.sub.6-18 aryl, and (C) 0 to 50 mol % of other structural unit. A method for the treatment of an inorganic substance-containing water system by the use of the flotation collector.

Abstract: A method and a device of dividing an aqueous processing waste solution of a non-silver halide light-sensitive material into solid and water are disclosed comprising the steps of:(a) introducing said solution into an evaporator,(b) concentrating by heating said solution,(c) removing sludge produced from the evaporator during concentrating by heating said solution,(d) separating the sludge into solid and liquid and(e) cooling and condensing evaporated gas to liquid.

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: This invention involves a multi-step, multi-force process for dewatering sludges which have high concentrations of magnetic particles, such as waste sludges generated during steelmaking. This series of processing steps involves (1) mixing a chemical flocculating agent with the sludge; (2) allowing the particles to aggregate under non-turbulent conditions; (3) subjecting the mixture to a magnetic field which will pull the magnetic aggregates in a selected direction, causing them to form a compacted sludge; (4) preferably, decanting the clarified liquid from the compacted sludge; and (5) using filtration to convert the compacted sludge into a cake having a very high solids content.Steps 2 and 3 should be performed simultaneously. This reduces the treatment time and increases the extent of flocculation and the effectiveness of the process.

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.