Abstract: The invention relates to cationic water-soluble polyelectrolytes, especially terpolymers, which are obtained by polymerising monomers of (meth)acrylamide, a quaternised (meth)acrylamide derivative, a (meth)acrylic acid derivative and/or hydrolysis-stable cationic monomers. The composition of the polyelectrolytes is characterised by a toxicity index formula Fi=(QTP?2QME)/10?1 wherein QTP represents the total cationic charge of the polymer and QME represents the charge part of the ester type monomer. The invention also relates to the production and use of said polyelectrolytes and water-in-water polymer dispersions which contain said polyelectrolytes.

Abstract: Recycled waste water is treated to remove contaminants and produce a sludge cake with a high percentage of solids and to produce a treated recycled waste water that can be discharged into a municipal sewer system.

Abstract: A filter aid and a method of using the same are disclosed that effectively removes contaminants from water-based metal forming liquids used in aluminum forming, rolling and other metal working processes. The filter aid includes a cellulosic material and a cationic polymer flocculating agent that is mixed with contaminated metal working fluid for a predetermined amount of time. The contaminated metal working fluid is then filtered through the filter aid, thereby removing the substantially all of the contaminants therein and allowing purified metal working fluid to return to the process system without carrying contaminants that will harm the surfaces of the metal being worked and the device that forms them. An acid material may be optionally added to the metal forming liquid, the acid serving to maintain the pressure and flow rate at normal levels by controlling clogging in the filter.

Abstract: A filter aid and a method of using the same are disclosed that effectively removes contaminants from water-based metal forming liquids used in aluminum forming, rolling and other metal working processes. The filter aid includes a cellulosic material and a cationic polymer flocculating agent that is mixed with contaminated metal working fluid for a predetermined amount of time. The contaminated metal working fluid is then filtered through the filter aid, thereby removing the substantially all of the contaminants therein and allowing purified metal working fluid to return to the process system without carrying contaminants that will harm the surfaces of the metal being worked and the device that forms them. An acid material may be optionally added to the metal forming liquid, the acid serving to maintain the pressure and flow rate at normal levels by controlling clogging in the filter.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of achieving a solid-liquid separation of an oil-based mud comprising the step of contacting said oil-based mud with a water-in-oil emulsion comprising a polymer derived from at least one water-soluble monomer, where the polymer is not dissolved prior to contact with the oil-based mud, mixing the water-in-oil emulsion and the oil-based mud and separating the solid phase from the liquid phase in the oil-based mud. In addition, this invention also relates to a composition comprising an oil-based mud with a water-in-oil emulsion comprising a polymer derived from at least one water-soluble monomer, wherein the polymer is not dissolved prior to contact with the oil-based mud.

Abstract: A process for removing solids from a water-based flush solution, The process includes: providing dirty flush solution; directing the dirty flush solution to a treatment vessel; adding one or more chemicals to the treatment vessel to form a treated flush solution; separating aggregated paint compounds from the treated flush solution to form a filtered flush solution; and directing the filtered flush solution to spray application equipment. The flush system of the invention includes a treatment vessel, wherein the dirty flush solution is mixed with one or more chemicals to form a treated flush solution; a primary separation unit to remove particles including aggregated paint compounds from the treated flush solution to form a filtered flush solution; and transfer lines to direct the filtered flush solution to spray application equipment. The filtered flush solution contains: 1% to 5% by weight of a water soluble organic solvent; 0.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and a device for the removal of non-water soluble substances from solutions of aqueous metal extracts, by addition of at least one water-soluble cationic polyelectrolyte, containing a diallylaminoalkyl(meth)acrylamide, neutralized or quaternised with mineral acid and subsequently polymerized, preferably dimethylaminopropylacrylamide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing the contaminants in condensate resulting from the conversion of bauxite to alumina.

Abstract: Processes for removing oil from a solid wellbore material such as drill cuttings or water such as produced by a subterranean formation include contacting the solid material/water with an amino-substituted polymer such as chitosan and a halogenating agent. The oil separates from the solid material and becomes bound within a flocculated solid. The flocculated solid containing the oil subsequently may be combined with a solvent of the amino-substituted polymer. Further, the flocculated solid may be contacted with a reducing agent, converting the flocculated solid back into the amino-substitute polymer and forming an oil-phase separate from the solvent-phase. The oil-phase may then be separated from the solvent phase and recovered. The solvent in which the amino-substituted polymer is dissolved may be recycled for treating more solid material removed from the well bore.

Abstract: The invention is a composition and method for treating paint booth water systems to facilitate paint removal. The composition comprises water, solid particles of insoluble organic polymer, such as, by way of non-limiting example, urea methanal copolymer, preferably including less than 50 weight percent of particles of diameter of 1 micron or less, and optionally surfactants, thickeners, polymeric flocculents different from the organic polymer, clarifiers, anti-corrosive components, and/or biocides.

Abstract: A high molecular weight, water-soluble polymer comprising pendant salicylic acid groups and having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 2,000,000 daltons and use of the polymer for clarifying red mud-containing liquors generated in the Bayer process for the recovery of alumina from bauxite.

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: A method for separating a metal (a) from a metal (2), preferably zirconium from hafnium, which consists in dissolving said metals in an aqueous solution wherein said metals are in a state preventing them from passing through a nanofiltration membrane; treating the aqueous medium with a ligand, for example EDTA, which is complexed with metal (1) and/or metal (2), then in passing the resulting treated medium on a filtering membrane allowing through the ligand-metal complexes, but retaining the metals not complexed with the ligand.

Abstract: A process is provided which can be used to clarify substantially aqueous streams and optionally separate biosolids, especially proteins, from food processing operations which comprises contacting an aqueous stream comprising biosolids with an anionic inorganic colloid and an organic polymer to flocculate the biosolids.

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: A process in which material comprising an aqueous liquid with dispersed particulate solids is pumped as a fluid then allowed to stand and rigidify and the rigidification is improved whilst retaining the pump ability of the material by combining polymeric particles with the material during or prior to pumping the material, wherein the polymeric particles comprise water soluble polymer which has an intrinsic viscosity of at least 3 dl/g. The process of the invention more effectively minimises the area taken up by a stack of the material of given volume whilst maintaining the pumpability of the material. This invention is particularly suited to material that comprises red mud from the Bayer alumina process.

Abstract: A system for the treatment of CMP wastewater, including wastewater from a copper CMP process. The wastewater treatment system includes a coagulant supply tank from which an FSC polymer coagulant is directed into a reaction tank that separately receives the untreated wastewater. The coagulant may be mixed with the untreated wastewater in selected ratios to provide a desired dosing quantity of the coagulant in the reaction tank. As the wastewater and the FSC polymer coagulant are mixed in the reaction tank, the coagulant flocs the slurry chemicals in the wastewater and removes the chemicals from solution in the wastewater as a precipitate before the wastewater is directed to a clarifier. The clarifier separates the flocked precipitate from the wastewater, and the flocked particles settle on the bottom of the clarifier to form a sludge. The sludge is re-distributed back into the clarifier to coagulate inert particles in the wastewater.

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of soot-laden waste water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of separating the soot from the waste water initially in a clarifier. The concentrated soot is then treated with an activated sludge mixture in a digester with a very long average hydraulic retention time to effectively digest the materials found in the concentrated soot. Soot-free waste water is treated via standard aerobic, and anoxic reactor basins and a clarifier with activated sludge recirculation. The system effectively removes soot from soot-laden waste water in a cost effective manner.

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: Aqueous dispersions of cationic water-soluble polymers are provided, as well as processes for making and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention is a floatation process and associated apparatus for removing heavy metal waste from various effluent water streams. The process and apparatus generally introduces a population of fine diameter air bubbles and one or more flocculating chemicals into an effluent stream to produce buoyant floc structures that include the heavy metals and that can be removed from the effluent stream. The present invention provides a reliable, cost-effective means of removing heavy metals from effluent water streams.

Abstract: Aqueous suspensions of paints in waste waters can be treated to detackify the paint and facilitate its removal by contacting the paint suspension at a pH of from about 5 to about 14 with a polyarylamine that is produced by reacting an aldehyde with an arylamine in the presence of an acid in an aqueous suspension. The same polyarylamine can also be used for reducing the color content of highly colored liquids. Compositions containing the polyarylamine are also described.

Abstract: A method of removing lead from water comprising a) adjusting the pH of the water to about 7 to about 9; and b) adding to the water an effective amount of a water soluble, high molecular weight cationic dispersion polymer composed of i) (meth)acrylamide; ii) a hydrophilic cationic monomer of formula  wherein A1 is O or NH; B1 is C2-C4 alkylene or hydroxypropylene; R1 is H or CH3, R2 and R4 are independently C1-C2 alkyl; R3 is H or C1-C2 alkyl; and X1 is an anionic counterion; and iii) a hydrophobic cationic monomer of formula  wherein A2 is O or NH; B2 is C2-C4 alkylene or hydroxypropylene; R5 is H or CH3; R6 and R8 are C1-C2 alkyl; R7 is C6-C20 alkyl or arylalkyl; and X2 is an anionic counterion; c) optionally adding a water soluble ethylene dichloride ammonia polymer to form a mixture of water and lead-containing flocculated solids; and d) separating the lead-containing flocculated solids from the water.

Abstract: A method of removing arsenic and fluoride from aqueous solutions in the same process is provided. Specifically, the pH of the aqueous solution is adjusted to a pH in the range of about 5 to 8. A combination of calcium salts, and ferric or aluminum salts are added to form insoluble arsenic and fluoride bearing solids. The solids are then removed from the aqueous solution.

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: A method for clarifying food processing waste water containing suspended solids comprising (iii) adding to the waste water with an effective amount of at least one vinylamine polymer having a molecular weight of at least 10,000, wherein the polymer is prepared by first polymerizing N-vinylformamide and, optionally, vinyl acetate to form a vinylformamide polymer or a vinylformamide/vinylacetate copolymer and then subjecting the vinyl formamide polymer or vinylformamide/vinylacetate copolymer to acid or base hydrolysis to form a vinylamine/vinylformaide copolymer, a vinylamine homopolymer or a up vinylamine/vinylalcohol copolymer; (ii) coagulating and flocculating the suspended solids; and (iii) separating the coagulated and flocculated suspended solids from the wastewater.

Abstract: A method of controlling algae in a municipal water plant including the step of adding an algicide-flocculant solution including 25-50 wt % acidic flocculent, 0-10 wt % polymer flocculant aid, an algicide consisting essentially of copper having a concentration of 0.025-1.275 wt % in the form of a water soluble copper salt, balance water. The algicide-flocculant solution may be added to the water via a clarifier of the water plant, a basin of the water plant, or a mixing chamber. The mixing chamber may be located within the clarifier, adjacent to the basin, or upstream of the clarifier and/or the basin.

Abstract: A method of flocculating suspended solids in a Bayer process liquor comprising adding to the liquor an effective amount of a polymer comprising salicylic acid groups.

Abstract: Aqueous suspensions of paints in waste waters can be treated to detackify the paint and facilitate its removal by contacting the paint suspension at a pH of from about 5 to about 14 with a polyarylamine that is produced by reacting an aldehyde with an arylamine in the presence of an acid in an aqueous suspension. The same polyarylamine can also be used for reducing the color content of highly colored liquids. Compositions containing the polyarylamine are also described.

Abstract: A flocculant for separating and flocculating oily components and water components is provided so that no sludge is produced when the oily components and the water components contained in the emulsion having a high COD value; and the throughput of the active sludge is not decreased in the secondary treatment of the active sludge. A flocculant for separating and flocculating oily components and water components contained in oil-in-water type or water-in-oil type emulsion, comprises a unit (i), and at least one of units (ii) and (iii) represented by the following formulas: (i) —(C(R1R2)C(R3X))—, (ii) —(C(R4R5)C(R6Y))—, (iii) —(C(R7R8)C(R3Z))—; wherein X is a group having —SO3M, M is hydrogen or a metal element, Y is a group having a quaternary nitrogen atom, Z is an electrophilic group, each R1 to R9 is hydrogen or an alkyl group, and a ratio per molecule of these units (i):(ii):(iii) is (1 to 100):(1 to 100):(1 to 100).

Abstract: A process for removing contaminants from large volumes of wastewater is disclosed. The process involves treating a wastewater stream containing the contaminant with a coagulant that reacts with the contaminant to form a particulate or aggregate of particulates having a size greater than 10 &mgr;m. The treated wastewater is passed through a microfiltration membrane having a pore size in the range from 0.5 &mgr;m to 10 &mgr;m at low pressure (less than 20 psig) to remove the contaminant. Under such conditions, the treated wastewater flux rate is greater than 200 gallons per square foot of membrane per day (“GFD”), and typically from 200 to 1500 GFD.

Abstract: A process for optimizing the rate of oxidation using halogen, e.g. chlorine donors to prevent the accumulation of undesirable chlorinated by-products. The feed rate of a chlorine donor is controlled for maintaining a desired ORP. The amount of free halogen is reduced and the ORP range expanded by addition of an effective amount of a coagulating agent. The rate of oxidation is sufficient to prevent the accumulation of the undesirable by-products. Treatment removes the by-products from the water and surrounding air by maintaining continuous breakpoint halogenation conditions.

Abstract: An algicide-flocculant solution for use in treating raw water in a municipal water plant to control algae, the algicide-flocculant solution including 25-50 wt % of an acidic flocculant, 0-10 wt % of a polymer flocculant aid, an algicide of essentially copper having a concentration of 0.025-1.25 wt % in the form of a water soluble capper salt, and balance water. Uniform mixing of the flocculant into the raw water simultaneously uniformly mixes the algicide of the algicide-flocculant solution into the raw water. The acidic flocculant is preferably aluminium sulfate, iron sulfate, iron chloride or mixtures thereof. The water soluble copper salt is preferably copper sulfate, copper chloride, copper nitrate, copper acetate or mixtures thereof. Moreover, the flocculant aid is a high molecular weight quaternary amine such as diallyldimethylammonium chloride.

Abstract: A process for optimizing the rate of oxidation using a combination of halogen, e.g. chlorine donors and peroxygen, e.g. potassium monopersulfate. The peroxygen compound elevates the oxidation-reduction potential of the body of water being treated. Simultaneously, a halogen donor is added to the body of water to maintain a PPM level of free halogen sufficient to insure sanitization. The amount of free halogen is reduced and the ORP effective range expanded to 700-850 mv by addition of an effective amount of a coagulating agent. The feed rates and concentrations of both oxidizers are optimized so as to achieve and maintain the targeted parameters. A high level of oxidation is maintained which removes by-products from the water and surrounding air.

Abstract: Wastewater treatment processes and preferred systems for practice of the processes, the invention particularly intends the removal of particulates and dissolved materials contaminating the effluent of garment stonewashing, acid washing and similar processes including chlorinated processes, thereby to allow reuse or sewer discharge of water used in such commercial processes. The processes of the invention typically involve initial filtration to remove solid particulates such as pumice, sand, glass beads and the like followed by acidification of the wastewater and contact with a magnesium hydroxide/activated carbon bed, the activated carbon removing organics such as dyestuffs and the like while the magnesium hydroxide precipitates other dissolved materials for subsequent mechanical removal. After treatment with magnesium hydroxide, parcipitating compounds such as iron sulfate and/or ferric chloride are added to precipitate other inorganic substances and dissolved materials.

Abstract: The invention comprises a borosilicate retention aid composition and a method for improving the production of paper by addition of the borosilicate. The borosilicate may be utilized in conjunction with a high molecular weight synthetic flocculant and/or starch, with or without the addition of a cationic coagulant. The borosilicate material is preferably a colloidal borosilicate. Methods for the preparation of the borosilicate material are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for treating waste water containing a resin is disclosed, which includes the steps of adding a polyamine compound to waste water containing at least a resin to coagulate at least water-insoluble matter in the water to form coagulated particles, adding a polyacrylamide polymer to cause those particles to grow into flocculated flocs, and separating the flocculated flocs. The process of the invention can treat waste water containing a resin in an industrially beneficial way without producing a large amount of sludge is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for the treatment of waste-water. This method includes reacting a polyamine and a multifunctional epoxide in waste-water composition that initially is in the form of an emulsion to form a reaction product that causes the emulsion to break into a water phase and an oil phase. The oil phase and water phase may thereafter be physically separated from one another as by dissolved air flotation or chemical precipitation.

Abstract: A process and system for removing heavy metals, fluoride, silica and other contaminants from large volumes of wastewater is disclosed. In the process, a wastewater stream containing the contaminant is treated with a chemical coagulant to create a particle having a diameter greater than 5 microns. Treated wastewater is passed through a microfiltration membrane which physically separates the metal contaminant particle from the wastewater. Commercially available microfiltration membranes having a pore size from 0.5 micron to 5 microns may be used. The treated wastewater flow rate through the microfiltration membranes can range from 700 gallons per square foot of membrane per day (“GFD”) to 1500 GFD. Solids are removed from the membrane surface by periodically backflushing the micro-filtration membranes and draining the filtration vessel within which the membranes are located. The dislodged solid material within the filtration vessel is flushed into a holding tank for further processing of the solids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conditioning food processing waste prior to mechanical dewatering with the use of environmentally friendly coagulants and flocculants. The method of the present invention comprises treating these waste waters with an effective amount of a vinylamine polymer including from about 1 to about 100 mole percent vinylamine and from about 1 to about 99 mole percent of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of amidine, vinylformamide, vinyl alcohol, vinyl acetate, vinyl pyrrolidinone and the esters, amides, nitriles and salts of acrylic acid and methacrytic acid. In an embodiment, the method of the present invention includes the further step of adding an effective amount of at least one flocculant to the food processing waste. The flocculent effectively agglomerates a portion of the colloidal organic solids into suspended solids.

Abstract: A process wherein an aqueous solution of amidoalkane sulfonic acid monomer, described hereafter, the homopolymer of such monomer, the co-polymer or the salt of said monomer or homopolymer, or polyacrylamide polymer, is admixed with the fluids or solids to be cleaned. Thus, solids and fatty acids are flocculated in the completion and workover fluids, hydrocarbon fluids, halogenated hydrocarbon fluids, amines, solvents, glycols, potassium carbonate and other gas processing fluids. The oil free particulate solids as well as the produced waters are thereby rendered environmentally acceptable for discharge to the environment. Hydrocarbon fluids are rendered suitable for storage while the other fluids such as completion and workover fluids are rendered suitable for reuse.

Abstract: An improved process for the treatment of water, selected from livestock wastewater and a livestock water stream, which process comprises adding to said water a composition comprising a sufficient amount of an acid to lower the water pH to less than 3.5 to 2.0; and wherein said acid is selected from the group of 1,3,5-Triazine-2,4,6-(1H,3H,5H)-hydroxyalkyltriglyoxilic acid (PR-1409SA); 2,2-oxy-diacetic acid; 2,2-ether diglycolic acid; sulfamic acid; and sulfuric acid.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of removing color bodies from paper mill waste water comprising adding to the water an effective color-removing amount of a hydrophilic cationic dispersion polymer prepared by polymerizing i. a cationic diallyl-N,N-disubstituted ammonium monomer of formula (H2C═CHCH2)2N+R1R2X−  wherein R1 and R2 are independently C1-C20 alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl and X is an anionic counterion and ii. an acrylamide monomer of formula  wherein R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl; R5 is hydrogen or methyl and R6 and R7 are independently hydrogen or C1-C10 alkyl, in an aqueous solution of a polyvalent anionic salt wherein the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a dispersant.

Abstract: The simultaneous precipitation of soluble heavy metal ions from semiconductor wastewater containing abrasive solids and enhancement of microfilter operation is achieved through the addition of an effective amount of a water-soluble polymer containing dithiocarbamate functionalities to the wastewater.

Abstract: A water soluble copper salt, preferably cupric sulfate pentahydrate, is mixed with water. A small quantity of an acidic flocculant is added to the copper sulfate solution to acidify the water and promote dissolving of the copper sulfate in the water. A 25-50% water solution of an acidic flocculant, with or without a cationic polymeric flocculant aid, is prepared and pumped into a processing vessel or tank. The acidified copper sulfate solution is added to the tank and mixed with the acidic flocculant. The algicide-flocculant solution is transported to a municipal water plant and added to raw water in the clarifier to drop out particulates in the incoming water and control algae in the clarifier.

Abstract: A method for the removal of heavy metals from solutions of organic compounds by treatment with cysteine or with an N-acylcysteine is described. Organic compounds with a content of heavy metal, for example palladium, particularly low and suitable for the preparation of compounds with pharmacologic activity can be isolated from the resultant solutions.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of cationic water-soluble polymers are provided, as well as processes for making and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A process is provided which can be used, for example, to clarify substantially aqueous fluids and separate solids from the fluid. The process comprises combining the fluid with a composition which comprises an anionic silica-based colloid having an S value of less than 50% and a cationic organic polymer.

Abstract: A method for the removal of metal cyanides or oxoanions from aqueous streams such as waste water streams with compounds containing 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane. Preferred compounds are polymers formed by free radical polymerization of N-4-vinyl benzyl-N1-1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane dichloride (VBBD) such as copolymers poly (VBBD/acrylamide) and poly (VBBD/dimethyl amino ethyl acrylate benzyl chloride quaternary salt. Poly(1,4-dimethylbenzyl-1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane dichloride) for the same purposes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process of thickening an aqueous suspension of mineral solids by sedimentation comprising adding to the suspension water-soluble anionic bridging polymeric flocculant having intrinsic viscosity at least 5 dl/g and water-soluble cationic polymeric flocculant, allowing the solids to settle under gravity so as to form a lower underflow fraction containing a concentration of solids greater than that of the suspension and an upper overflow fraction containing a concentration of solids lower than that of the suspension and removing the underflow fraction, characterised in that the anionic and cationic flocculants are added to the suspension as an aqueous composition formed by blending 1 part by weight of the cationic polymeric flocculant with 2 to 99 parts by weight of the anionic polymeric flocculant and sufficient water to give a total polymer concentration of below 5 wt % and under conditions whereby counter-ionic precipitation can occur and in the aqueous composition substantially all of the anionic polymer