Abstract: An airlift bioreactor for perfusion cell culture comprises a single- or multi-tiered riser for working volume scale-up, an internal inclined gravity settler for cell retention, an outlet port for cell-free spent culture medium removal, and an inlet port for fresh medium addition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sludge concentration and conditioning device, and a method for treating sludge by using the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing particles in free-flying liquid drops includes a fluid chamber fluidically coupled to a nozzle, a sound source configured to generate, in the fluid chamber, an acoustic field by which particles in a liquid in the fluid chamber may be aligned in an arrangement, and a drop-on-demand mechanism configured to, at a selected point in time, selectively dispense from the nozzle an individual liquid drop containing one or several particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for recovering a large and dry precipitated solid inorganic final product (3D), consisting of phosphorus, nitrogen and an element X selected from the alkaline-earth metals, from a first fluid (1) consisting of at least one divalent cation X2+ mixed with a second fluid (2) containing phosphorus and nitrogen, said device including at least one first reactor (19) which is intended for a primary crystallization reaction, has any shape, and is connected to a second spiral-shaped reactor (20) for secondary crystallization/deposition.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing a solution includes first and second tanks, a sampling element, a flow control element and a mixing assembly is provided. The first tank has a first chamber and a first fluid inlet. The second tank has a second chamber. The sampling element is connected and communicated with the first chamber. The flow control element connects and communicates with the first chamber through the first fluid inlet. Two opposite ends of the mixing assembly connect and communicate with the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively.

Abstract: Sterilization of a liquid substance is performed by causing cavitation in the liquid substance by stirring the liquid substance with a rotary blade of a suction stirring pump and generating plasma with a plasma generation mechanism in air bubbles generated in the liquid substance by the cavitation.

Abstract: A high-rate sedimentation tank includes a hopper configured to be supplied with raw water including floc, at least one circular orifice pipe disposed at a lower portion of the hopper and configured to have the floc deposited therein as a sludge while passing the floc included in the raw water therethrough, and a sludge outlet configured to discharge the sludge deposited by passing through the circular orifice pipe to an outside of the hopper.

Abstract: The ballast water and fish farm treatment system for circulating effluent water of a fish farm or a ship by filtering and resupplying the effluent water, the system including a heat exchange system to heat or cool the effluent water, a physical filtration unit to filter out impurities from the effluent water are discharged from the heat exchange system, and a chemical filtration unit to mix the effluent water discharged from the physical filtration unit with chlorine dioxide, wherein the effluent water discharged from the chemical filtration unit is resupplied to the fish farm or the ship. The ballast water and fish farm treatment system allows circulation water of the ship and fish farm to be reused after completely removing parasites, hazardous organisms, germs, and viruses from the circulation water using a combination of physical, chemical and physiological treatment techniques.

Abstract: Techniques are described that relate to enhancing flocculation and dewatering of thick fine tailings, for example by reducing process oscillations. One example method includes dispersing a flocculant into thick fine tailings having a turbulent flow regime to produce turbulent flocculating tailings; subjecting the turbulent flocculating tailings to shear to build up flocs and increase yield stress, to produce a flocculated material having a non-turbulent flow regime; and shear conditioning the flocculated material to decrease the yield stress and produce conditioned flocculated tailings within a water release zone; and dewatering the conditioned flocculated tailings, for example by employing sub-aerial deposition. The thick fine tailings may have a Bingham Reynolds Number of at least 40,000 upon flocculant addition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining various components of a multi-component material. Generally, a component of a whole blood sample may be concentrated from a patient and re-introduced to the same patient. For example, a clotting component, such as thrombin, from a whole blood sample may be extracted and concentrated in an apparatus and collection to be reapplied or reintroduced into a patient.

Abstract: Systems are provided with varying flow chamber configurations which acoustically agglomerate microorganisms such as algae for separation from a host fluid such as water. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to the desalination of aqueous solutions containing one or more dissolved salts are generally described.

Abstract: In the water treatment industry, the present mechanical flocculation systems and over/under or channel side to side static flocculation systems have been utilized. These static flocculation systems are inefficient and require additional head loss and also require more basin volumes to produce a good flocculation. The mechanical flocculation systems use power and are subject to oil leak to drinking water sources. The orifice plate flocculation is an innovative technology in water treatment flocculation process that is more efficient, operator friendly, and requires less capital cost. The orifice plate flocculation system can also increase the flocculation capacities of existing mechanical flocculation basins up to 100% without any additional basin.

Abstract: A method for treating acid mine drainage includes mixing acid mine drainage (20) and alkaline tailings from a gold recovery process (140). The acid mine drainage is thereby neutralized (12).

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention disclosed is an apparatus for separating a solid material from a mixture containing oil, water, clay, sand, soil and drill cuttings. The apparatus comprise a series of processing cells and wash tanks. Hydrocyclonic devices are also used to further purify the solid mixture for disposal.

Abstract: A field water purification system filter is described. The filter includes a water tight enclosure formed between two layers of a polymeric material, an inlet and an outlet are coupled to the water tight enclosure. A filter envelope including a quantity of filter media is inside the water tight enclosure. The water filter having a minimal thickness when not filled with water. The filter envelope is formed by a first set of bonded segments of the two layers of polymeric material. The filter can also include an outer channel having a first side formed by the water tight enclosure and a second side opposite from the first side. The second side can include a second set of bonded segments of the two layers of polymeric material interspersed with a set of nonbonded segments, the nonbonded segments defining openings in an intermittent barrier between the outer channel and the filter media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing produced water, comprising; a separator tank, at least one inlet tube (22, 27), at least one branch means (6) distributing the produced water stream, at least one outlet nozzle (7) and at least one guide vane (8.1) mounted under each outlet nozzle and leading water over the next outlet nozzle; at least one outlet (12) in the bottom of the tank for cleaned water and at least one outlet (9, 35, 36) rejecting rising gas with adherent oil droplets, at least one shroud (39) is arranged entirely or partly along the inside of at least one guide vane (8.1) in an angle of 30° to 150° related to the at least one guide vane (8.1). Further the invention relates to a process for separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing produced water.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a membrane biological reactor mixed liquor containing one or more nonionic polysaccharides and/or one or more organic molecules is disclosed.

Abstract: A feedwell assembly for a thickener/clarifier includes a feedwell body, at least one infeed conduit connected at a downstream end to the body, and at least one spin or rotation inducement element disposed as part of the infeed conduit for imparting rotation or spin to a slurry stream fed to the feedwell body via the infeed conduit. The spin or rotation inducement element may be a fixed and rigid structural member such as a vane or baffle, or include actively operated elements. Multiple such spin or rotation inducement elements may be provided in various locations in or adjacent the infeed conduit.

Abstract: A method of filtering a fluid, including flowing a fluid from a first side of a filter member to a second side of the filter member, the fluid containing dissolved impurities. In addition, the method includes inducing fluid cavitation within the fluid to precipitate out at least a portion of the dissolved impurities. Further, the method includes controlling a pressure differential across the filter member. Still further, the method includes, maintaining or further inducing the fluid cavitation within the fluid in response to controlling the pressure differential. Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of filtering a fluid includes flowing a fluid into a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes a vessel defining a pressure chamber and a filter screen disposed within the vessel. The screen divides the pressure chamber into a first subchamber and a second subchamber. In addition, the method includes flowing the fluid from the first subchamber to the second subchamber, and controlling a first pressure of the first subchamber relative to a second pressure of the second subchamber to induce cavitation in the flowing fluid. Further, the method includes precipitating out dissolved impurities within the fluid during the cavitation.

Abstract: A turbulence inducing device is described. Embodiments of the device include a nozzle (135), a vessel assembly (110), and an obstructer (140). The vessel assembly typically includes an open ended main channel (115) surrounded by a housing. In typical operation, fluid under positive pressure is forced through the nozzle into the main channel. Disposed at the main channel outlet, the obstructer is adapted to deflect the flowing fluid and induce turbulence that can result in cavitation when the fluid is a liquid. When the liquid includes water, cavitation can result in production of reactive species that oxidatively modify contaminants in the water. Embodiments of the turbulence inducing device can be used to reduce contamination of produced water, the produced water arising from hydrocarbon extraction or exploration.

Abstract: A method for separating, or removing, particulate material, e.g., blood cells, from a sample of fluid, e.g., whole blood of a patient, in which the particulate material is suspended. In the case of separating blood cells from blood plasma or blood serum, the resulting samples of blood plasma or blood serum can be used for in vitro diagnostic applications. In normal practice, a whole blood sample of a patient are provided and then introduced into an apparatus that contains a flow channel. An acoustic field, which contains acoustic standing waves from external ultrasonic transducers, is located within the flow channel. Laminar flow is maintained in the flow channel. Blood cells and platelets are separated from blood plasma or blood serum at the end of the flow channel and collected. The method described herein allows fluid components to differentially migrate to areas of preferred acoustic interaction.

Abstract: A method of treating a wastewater is provided and can be used, for example, to treat a gas well hydrofracture wastewater. The method can involve precipitating barium as barium sulfate, precipitating calcium and strontium as calcium carbonate and strontium carbonate, precipitating magnesium hydroxide, and filtering out the metal compounds to form a recycle water. The recycle water produced from the method is also provided, as is a method for using the recycle water as a gas well hydrofracture water. In some embodiments, discharge water from a coal mine, and/or water from an abandoned coal mine, is used as a source of sulfate ions to precipitate barium as barium sulfate.

Abstract: Embodiments provided herein relate to removing liquid from soil or other moisture rich media. In some embodiments, a method for solidifying sludge is provided and involves providing a sludge, fluidizing the sludge to form a fluidized sludge, adding a gelling agent to the fluidized sludge in an amount sufficient to form a slurry, and adding a dewatering agent to the slurry in an amount sufficient to dewater the slurry, thereby solidifying the sludge.

Abstract: A mixing chamber system for removal of contaminants from a liquid, and related systems and methods, are provided. The mixing chamber system includes a length of pipe having a hollow interior. A plurality of perforated discs are stationarily positioned within the hollow interior in at least a portion of the length of pipe, wherein each of the plurality of perforated discs has a curved profile, wherein a middle portion of each of the plurality of perforated discs is offset from a radial edge of each of the plurality of perforated discs, respectively.

Abstract: In a feed dilution system and method for a thickener or settling tank, a feed pipe nozzle has a variable orifice configured to provide an infeed slurry flow stream of substantially constant velocity. The feed pipe orifice is disposed in a mixing conduit proximate an upstream end thereof, while a downstream end of the mixing conduit is functionally attached to a feedwell inside the thickener or settling tank, so that the mixing conduit communicates with the feedwell. Where a diluting liquid is introduced into the mixing conduit, the variable-orifice nozzle ensures a substantially uniform degree of dilution of the influent slurry feed stream by the diluting liquid.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water/oil (W/O) emulsions is described which includes the addition of an ionic liquid, under heating, to a water/oil emulsion containing between 0.5% and 85% of water per volume as a dispersion phase, until the concentration of the ionic liquid in the emulsion remains within the range of 0.01 ?L/g to 100 ?L/g. The ionic liquid used is a salt of a general C+ A? formula in a liquid state at temperatures below 150° C., where A? is an anion and C+ is a cation, which has at least a hydrophobic alkyl chain connected to a cation group. The heating method includes conventional heating and heating via microwaves. In the heating via microwaves, the salts of the general C+ A? formula present synergic behavior in separation efficiency in relation to conventional heating.

Abstract: Use of a non-sacrificial electrode made of synthetic graphite for applications utilizing conductive immersed treatment of wastewater is disclosed. The synthetic graphite is manufactured from a petroleum based extruded or molded composite material in any of plate, bar or coil forms. The electrodes are especially useful in the primary reaction chamber of an electrocoagulation apparatus.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for aggregating microorganism in an aqueous suspension. In particular, are systems, methods, and apparatuses that apply an electrical field and/or acoustic energy to an aqueous suspension comprising microorganisms as the aqueous suspension follows a flow path to cause aggregation of the microorganisms. The electrical field may be continuous or pulsed. In some embodiments, the flow path for the aqueous suspension may vary.

Abstract: A continuous flow reactor, including a cylindrical coagulation crystallizer, a funnel type protective baffle for static settling, and a conical static settler. A lower end surface of the cylindrical coagulation crystallizer is connected with an upper end surface of the conical static settler, and the funnel type protective baffle for static settling is connected with an inner wall of the cylindrical coagulation crystallizer.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for aggregating microorganism in an aqueous suspension. In particular, are systems, methods, and apparatuses that apply an electrical field to an aqueous suspension comprising microorganisms as the aqueous suspension follows a flow path to cause aggregation of the microorganisms. The electrical field may be continuous or pulsed. In some embodiments, the flow path for the aqueous suspension may vary.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for aggregating microorganism in an aqueous suspension. In particular, are systems, methods, and apparatuses that apply an electrical field and/or acoustic energy to an aqueous suspension comprising microorganisms as the aqueous suspension follows a flow path to cause aggregation of the microorganisms. The electrical field may be continuous or pulsed. In some embodiments, the flow path for the aqueous suspension may vary.

Abstract: A deoiling or demulsifying composition including talc. Also disclosed is a process for removal of hydrocarbons, oil or oil-bearing formations from an aqueous stream by adding talc to the aqueous stream. The process may also include one or more of: aerating or injecting air or gas into the aqueous stream; agitating the treated stream to form a layer comprising the hydrocarbons, oil or oil-bearing formations; and separating the layer from the aqueous stream.

Abstract: A process for dewatering oil sands tailings is provided, comprising providing a tailings feed having a solids content in the range of about 10 wt % to about 45 wt %; adding a flocculant to the tailings feed and mixing the tailings feed and flocculant to form flocs; and centrifuging the flocculated tailings feed to produce a centrate having a solids content of less than about 3 wt % and a cake having a solids content of at least about 50 wt %.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method (20) of separating pulp from a feed material within a tank (1), the method comprising the steps of (23) introducing the feed material (22) into the tank (1); (24) allowing the feed material (22) to settle in the tank (1); (25) allowing the pulp (21) to form into aggregates (13); (26) allowing the pulp aggregates (13) to settle towards the bottom of the tank (1) and form a networked layer (2) of pulp; and (27) causing a disturbance substantially uniformly across a disturbance zone (16) in an upper region of the networked layer (2), so as to disrupt the networked pulp in the disturbance zone within a predetermined period of time; thereby releasing entrained liquid from the networked pulp in the disturbance zone (16) and increasing the relative density of the pulp below the disturbance zone. The invention also provides a separation device (40) for separating pulp (21) from a feed material (22).

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater using a ballasted flocculation technique includes continuously measuring the concentration of suspended solids, organic matter or other impurities in the water to be treated prior to directing the water to be treated to a flocculation tank. Based on this measurement, the amount of ballast necessary to obtain treated water of a predetermined quality is then calculated. In the flocculation tank, ballast and a flocculating reagent are added to the water to form a water-floc mixture. The water-floc mixture is directed to a settling tank where a sludge-ballast mixture is settled. The sludge-ballast mixture is directed to a mixing tank and then to a separator to separate the ballast from the sludge. The separated ballast is directed to the flocculation tank. The separated sludge is directed to the mixing tank when the level of sludge-ballast mixture in the mixing tank is lower than a predetermined level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for collecting solid microparticles floating in water, and more particularly, to a safe, ease to use, and environmental friendly collecting apparatus and method adapted for collecting radioactive solid microparticles floating and depositing in a cooling water tank of nuclear facility or a tank for storing radioactive materials.

Abstract: A system and method for treating water or sewage is provided. The system can include a screening tank, a septic tank, a flocculant and mixing reactor, a primary clarifier, a secondary clarifier, a sludge dewatering tank, a surge tank, one or more filter tanks and a disinfection tank. The method can include the steps of receiving water or sewage to be treated and passing it through a screening tank and septic tank, a flocculant reactor, a primary clarifier, a secondary clarifier, a sludge dewatering tank, a surge tank, one or more filter tanks and a disinfection tank.

Abstract: A process for treating impure water includes adding magnesium hydroxide and/or ammonium hydroxide to the water. This neutralizes the impure water and reacts with dissolved metals in the water. The metals are precipitated as metal hydroxides/oxides, which are removed from the water. Thereafter barium hydroxide is added to the water. The barium hydroxide reacts with dissolved sulphates to produce barium sulphate and, when magnesium hydroxide is used, with dissolved magnesium, to produce magnesium hydroxide. Barium sulphate and, when present, magnesium hydroxide are removed from the water. When ammonium hydroxide is used, ammonia is stripped from the water. Carbon dioxide is then added to the water. The carbon dioxide reacts with dissolved calcium in the water. The calcium is precipitated as calcium carbonate, which is removed from the water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining various components of a multi-component material. Generally, a component of a whole blood sample may be concentrated from a patient and re-introduced to the same patient. For example, a clotting component, such as thrombin, from a whole blood sample may be extracted and concentrated in an apparatus and collection to be reapplied or reintroduced into a patient.

Abstract: A coalescer includes fibrous media capturing droplets of the dispersed phase, coalescingly growing the droplets into larger drops which further coalesce and grow to form pools that drain, and adapted to reduce pressure drop thereacross by increasing dispersed phase drainage therefrom.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method to system for enhancing TOC removal while maintaining membrane filter performance is the implementation of a dual pH control system. This embodiment will enhance the ability to maximize TOC removal while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance. By adjusting pH, dosing a chemical coagulant and incorporating liquid-solids separation, a considerably higher degree of TOC removal is possible. By adjusting pH again after liquid-solids separation this embodiment can drastically increase the efficiency of the membrane microfiltration/ultrafiltration system. Thus pH control for soluble organic removal is critical. This pH level however may not be the ideal set point for minimizing membrane fouling which is the basis for this embodiment. An example: the pH set point for optimum soluble organic removal is designated to be 5.5. However, the optimum pH set point for optimum membrane performance is 7.0.

Abstract: In a feed dilution system and method for a thickener or settling tank, a feed pipe nozzle has an outlet opening or orifice configured to generate an initial stream of slurry from the feed pipe into an upstream end of a mixing conduit wherein the stream is extended from a first side of the mixing conduit to a substantially opposite second side in a first direction transverse to the mixing conduit so as to enhance entrainment of dilution fluid flow into the slurry stream and concomitantly produce a substantially uniform solids concentration across a stream flowing from the mixing conduit into the feedwell. The outlet opening is generally shaped asymmetrically towards a third side of the mixing conduit in a second direction transverse to the mixing conduit so as to bias the initial stream of slurry towards the one side, where the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A mobile water filtration apparatus and method for on-site removal of contaminants from raw water comprising a portable platform and a first settling tank secured with respect to the platform. The settling tank includes flocculating agent and a lower portion into which sediment settles. A sloped trough is secured with respect to the platform and has an upper end which receives the flocculating-agent-containing water, a lower end, a plurality of spaced-apart walls between upper and lower ends which define a serpentine flow path, and a plurality of agitators between the walls. A terminal settling tank receives water from the trough lower end and includes a lower portion into which sediment settles and an outlet along an upper portion through which treated water flows. An exemplary apparatus includes a gate corresponding to each wall and defining an opening through which water flows.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for treating iron-contaminated water (e.g., mine drainage) using an innovative treatment approach identified herein as the Activated Iron Solids (AIS) Process. The AIS process is capable of oxidizing and removing iron as iron oxides from iron-contaminated waters (such as, mining-related discharge, groundwater, surface water and industrial waste streams) producing a clean effluent. The AIS process is performed in a single or multiple tank system in which high concentrations of AIS are suspended through mechanical mixing to maintain a catalytic surface chemistry environment that increases iron removal thousands times faster than would naturally occur and hundreds times faster than existing arts (e.g., aerobic pond passive treatment). The AIS process can utilize inexpensive alkaline material (such as, pulverized limestone) where initial mine drainage alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO3) to ferrous iron (mg/L) ratio is less than approximately 1.7.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for separating low density particles from feed slurries, a bubbly mixture is formed in a downcomer and issues into a mid region in a chamber. An inverted reflux classifier is formed by parallel inclined plates below the mid region allowing for efficient separation of low density particles which rise up to form a densely packed foam in the top of the chamber, and denser particles which fall downwardly to an outlet.

Abstract: We provide a process for the neutralization and precipitation of high pH brines that eliminates the formation of “gelatinous silica” during neutralization. The high pH brine is neutralized in a two-step neutralization process. In the first step the salt concentration of a high pH brine is built up to a minimum level of 8-12%, and then its pH is reduced to 9-9.5. The partially neutralized brine is allowed a reaction period with mild agitation. Subsequently the pH is further reduced, typically to 8-9. A coagulant and/or a polymer can also be used to enhance the settling or filtration rate of the neutralized stream.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method to system for enhancing TOC removal while maintaining membrane filter performance is the implementation of a dual pH control system. This embodiment will enhance the ability to maximize TOC removal while maintaining optimum membrane filter performance. By adjusting pH, dosing a chemical coagulant and incorporating liquid-solids separation, a considerably higher degree of TOC removal is possible. By adjusting pH again after liquid-solids separation this embodiment can drastically increase the efficiency of the membrane microfiltration/ultrafiltration system. Thus pH control for soluble organic removal is critical. This pH level however may not be the ideal set point for minimizing membrane fouling which is the basis for this embodiment. An example: the pH set point for optimum soluble organic removal is designated to be 5.5. However, the optimum pH set point for optimum membrane performance is 7.0.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a reactive filtration method includes continuously regenerating a reactive filter media while simultaneously filtering contaminants from fluid flowing through the filter media. In one embodiment, regenerating the reactive filter media comprises mixing metal granules with the filter media and agitating the mixture. In another embodiment, regenerating the reactive filter media comprises introducing a metal in the fluid flowing through the filter media and agitating the filter media. In one embodiment, a method for removing phosphorus, arsenic or a heavy metal from water includes introducing a metal salt reagent into the water at a molar ratio of 5:1 to 200:1 to the phosphorous or the arsenic in the water and passing the water through a bed of moving sand.