Abstract: A method of agglomerating fine particles such as ultrafine coal in a beneficiation process, uses a water in oil emulsion to significantly reduce the amount of oil needed compared with known oil in water emulsions. A solution of oil and emulsifying agent is provided to which water is progressively added forming a concentrated water in oil emulsion with stabilized water drops (1) packed inside the oil solution phase (2). Fine particles in a slurry are then added, causing the fine particles to collide and stick to the emulsion particles. An optional form of the invention coats tiny portions of the emulsion in a thin film of low viscosity oil (5) to achieve a higher level of selectivity.

Abstract: A publicly accessible urban beach entertainment complex is disclosed, with a man-made tropical, pristine-clear lagoon as the centerpiece of the complex, with surrounding entertainment, educational, sports, and commercial facilities, the complex having controlled public access and providing the look and feel of a tropical beach with clear waters and sandy beaches. In addition a method for efficiently utilizing facilities and land that are vacant, underutilized, have limited uses, or that are contiguous to or nearby recreational, educational, sports, or commercial venues is disclosed. The method providing a publicly accessible urban beach entertainment complex with a centerpiece man-made tropical-style pristine-clear lagoon. The method allows for generating revenue and increasing efficiency by pairing vacant sites, underutilized sites, limited use land, or sites that are contiguous to entertainment, educational, sports, and/or commercial venues with urban beach entertainment complexes.

Abstract: The present application relates to a novel method for reductive degradation of perfluoroalkyl-containing compounds, such as perfluoroalkyl sulfonates, by activated carbon (AC) supported zero valent iron-nickel nanoparticles (nNi0Fe0).

Abstract: A floating dispenser having an external float or an internal float for supporting a cartridge or cartridges for floatingly delivering a dispersant or dispersants to a body of water with the floating dispenser having cartridges rotationally positionable with respect to one another to control the rate of dispensing while the dispenser floats in an upright condition with the floating dispenser changing its flotation orientation in response to consumption of the dispersant or dispersants in the a cartridge to thereby provide a visual alert to replace a spent cartridge with a fresh cartridge. In addition, the inventions described herein permit changing the dispensing nature of the system from a multiple dispensing system to a single dispensing system without changing the floating characteristics of the floating dispensers through replacement of a dispersant in one of the cartridges with an inert or ballast material that has no effect on the water characteristics.

Abstract: A structure for restraining debris in a stream, including lateral walls, which delimit between them a flow section in a bed of the stream. This flow section includes an upper portion that includes set between the lateral walls, a structure for retaining material arriving from upstream, and a lower portion that identifies an opening for outflow.

Abstract: A seawater desalination system includes an intake part buried in a sand layer of the seafloor to take in seawater passed through the sand layer, an anterior filtration part filtering seawater conveyed from the intake part, and a posterior filtration part filtering seawater conveyed from the anterior filtration part, using a reverse osmosis membrane. The anterior filtration part includes a first anterior filtration line including a first ultrafiltration membrane, a second anterior filtration line including a second ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cut-off less than that of the first ultrafiltration membrane, and a switching part switching a path through which seawater flows between the first and second anterior filtration lines provided in parallel with each other. The system controls the switching part in accordance with dissolved oxygen content in the seawater taken in by the intake part, thereby improving the efficiency of seawater filtration with the ultrafiltration membranes.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting algae from an open body of water includes a boat having a pair of spaced apart parallel flotation members and a deck disposed on and connected to the members. The spaced apart members define an area therebetween forming a process channel. A separating mechanism disposed on the boat separates the process channel into a plurality of process channel sections arranged in series. The process channel sections are disposed intermediate the flotation members. Each of the process channel sections include a deflector plate, a scum beach, a scum trough, and diffused air piping. The diffused air piping is in fluid communication with a dissolved air flotation system.

Abstract: An oil containment recovery dome including an upper containment portion and at least one bladder. The upper containment portion has an enclosure defined therein that is adapted to receive equipment used in conjunction with a well and to retain therein oil or gas that escapes from the well. The at least one bladder is attached to the upper containment portion.

Abstract: A subsea contaminate remediation apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a conduit. The conduit includes a first end adapted to receive a first liquid stream having at least one contaminate; a second end adapted to release a second liquid stream; a grating associated with the second end of the housing; and at least one chemical injection port. The chemical injection port is adapted to introduce a chemical to the first liquid stream to form the second liquid stream.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a heavy metal laden foam generated on the surface of effluent seawater during aeration of the effluent seawater in a flue gas desulfurization system associated seawater aeration basin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing a catalyst rich seawater useful to catalyze oxidation reactions in a flue gas desulfurization system seawater aeration basin to obtain a treated seawater.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and removing oil from a body of water with equipment using rod and film technology, which includes a streamlined oil tank that moves in the water and collects surface oil from an attached skimmer, arrays of inverted funnels lowered into the water to concentrate oil for removal, and containment tents to capture leaking fuel or cargo oil from a sunken ship or any underwater oil leak and channel it into a partially submerged rod and film storage tank at the surface.

Abstract: An assembly for being dragged by a vessel, wherein the assembly includes a filtering system and a fluidum guiding system, wherein the filtering system is suitable for filtering large volumes of fluidum, and wherein the fluidum guiding system defines a channel configured such that at least in a channel portion the current velocity of the fluidum guided through that channel portion is reduced downstream, and wherein the fluidum guiding system and the filtering system are mutually arranged such that current velocity of fluidum filtered in the filtering system is reduced for decreasing drag

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing chlorine dioxide by reducing sodium chlorate with a reducing agent in the presence of a strong acid comprising feeding ammonium salt to the reactor to produce also chloramine. The present invention also provides a method for disinfecting water.

Abstract: Asymmetrically profiled wedge bar screen used for inertial separation of suspended particles, wherein the profile of the bars is a generalized trapezoid, tilted in the direction of the sweeping flow with a distinctly extended trailing edge at the aft face side of the cross section of the bar.

Abstract: The invention discloses a process to implement and maintain water bodies larger than 15,000 m3 for recreational use, such as lakes or artificial lagoons, with excellent color, transparency and cleanness properties at low cost, which comprises the following steps: a.—providing a structure able to contain a large water body larger than 15,000 m3; b.—feeding the structure of step (a) with inlet water having iron and manganese levels lower than 1.5 ppm and turbidity lower than 5 NTU; c.—measuring water pH, ideally it should be within a range lower than 7.8; d.—adding an oxidizing agent to the water contained in the structure of step (a), with which a 600 mV minimal ORP is controlled in water for a minimal period of 4 hours and in maximal cycles of 48 hours; e.—adding a flocculating agent in concentrations within 0.

Abstract: The present invention is uniquely engineered and provides water treatment devices for treatment of water in a small community or individual who are out of reach of access to safe water for domestic use, reach of adequate resources and reside in rural setting. Water treatment device of the invention are flexible, light weight and have high capacity.

Abstract: The present invention diffuses air through a sea floor-mounted grid, raises particle clouds in four to twenty percent solutions to a height of one to four feet, and transports the particle cloud by favorable currents to designated locations upstream and downstream while releasing dissolved oxygen throughout the water column. The process is used in shallow depths, less that thirty-three feet (2 bars) with minimum favorable water currents of one-half to one knot. The sea floor-mounted grid is used for diffusion of air to alleviate hypoxic environments in depths less than sixty-six feet (5 bars.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a unit for a salt water pool chlorinator that is arranged for water to flow therethrough. The unit is configured for an electrode assembly to be received therein and is arranged such that some of the water flows through the electrode assembly. The unit has a channel, defined by a barrier impermeable to water, arranged for some other of the water to flow through the channel. At least one port may be arranged at the channel whereby at least one of a sensor, a feeder and an extractor can use the port to respectively detect, feed into and extract water in the channel.

Abstract: A water circulation pump pre-filter unit (PFU). The PFU is submerged and provides structure to camouflage the system to give a natural and aesthetic look. The PFU comprises at least two cleaning systems: (1) biological cleaning mechanism; and (2) an internal self-cleaning mechanism. Specifically, the PFU comprises several filtering surfaces that form a repository for pond debris on which fish and other aquatic creatures feed, i.e., the biological cleaning mechanism. These filtering surfaces of the PFU also provide a protective barrier that prevents large debris from entering the circulation pump. The internal self-cleaning mechanism is a spray wash water source mechanism used to clean the PFU without removing the PFU or fish from the pond or entering the water. Together these features improve the quality of the water in the pond and extend the life of a pump.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of raising the pH of a body of water having a pH of less than 4.5 by introducing neutralizing agent, the raising of the pH taking place in at least two stages thus: at pH levels below 4.5, a first neutralizing agent having a final conductivity of not more than 100 .mu.S/cm, and, after attainment of a pH of at least 4.5, a second neutralizing agent, having a final conductivity of more than 100 .mu.S/cm, is introduced into the body of water, the final conductivity of the neutralizing agents being defined as the conductivity of an aqueous suspension or solution of neutralizing agent in solution equilibrium at 25.degree. C., having a neutralizing agent content of 0.015% by weight.

Abstract: A trash removal system is configured to enable a diver to remove debris from water. The trash removal system comprises a line mechanically coupled to a boat and extending downward in the water. Hooks are mechanically coupled to the line and configured to receive the debris from the diver. Shelf nets are mechanically coupled to the line and configured to receive debris from the diver. The diver can affix debris to the hooks or insert debris into the shelf nets that can be drawn to the boat with a crank removing the debris from the water.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing acidic seawater is disclosed, wherein the acidic seawater is firstly mixed with alkaline seawater, and neutralizing seawater after mixing is transferred into an aeration vessel to be aerated. The volume R of the used aeration vessel and the amount of neutralizing seawater which needs to be processed satisfy a measure relationship: R=(0.008?0.3)L, and the amount of the air brown into the aeration vessel Q, R, and L satisfy a measure relationship: Q=(25?85)L/R. The method and apparatus can be used for processing acidic seawater which rinsed the exhaust of the internal combustion engine, and they are particularly suitable for but not limited to ships, well drilling, floating factories and other offshore platforms.

Abstract: To clean sediments and the like trapped not only in a top layer of a sand filtration layer, but also in intermediate layers. A seawater infiltration method which uses a water infiltration intake unit which is formed in advance and provided with a water intake pipe embedded in a gravel layer which forms a deep layer of the sand filtration layer, and a backwashing pipe embedded in a sand layer which forms an intermediate layer and a surface layer of the sand filtration layer, and a water suction pipe which is disposed above the sand layer. A desired number of water infiltration intake units are combined to form a sand filtration layer at an installation site on an ocean floor, and they intake seawater from the sea which has undergone natural infiltration in the sand filtration layer and this is introduced into the water intake pipe. The seawater infiltration rate is set at less than 400 m/day.

Abstract: A method for removing contaminants from a body of water is provided by positioning a flexible containment vessel within the body of water and moving water to be treated from the body of water into the flexible containment vessel. The water to be treated typically contains contaminated organic or inorganic suspended solids, and provides shape to the flexible containment vessel. The solids accumulate in at a bottom portion of the containment vessel in a collection area. After preventing water flow from the body of water into the containment vessel, the treated water and the accumulated solids are removed from the collection area resulting in a collapsing of the flexible containment vessel and a concentrating of the solids to a reduced collection area. The solids are now more efficiently removed from the reduced collection area within the collapsed containment vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for recovering oil from a submerged oil source, wherein the system includes a submerged conduit having at least two openings, with a first opening capable of being located in proximity of a leak in order to capture leaking oil, and with a second opening capable of communicating captured leaking oil to another location. A natural gas separator, coupled to the submerged conduit separates the boiling vapor phase natural gas from the captured oil thereby outputting oil with water contaminant. An oil/water separator coupled to the natural gas separator then separates out the contaminant water, resulting in a processed recovered oil product for storage and subsequent refinement. The flow to capture the leak is induced by generating a lower pressure at nozzle in the conduit via power jet, air lift, pumping of fluid out of conduit close to sea level, or other methods.

Abstract: The invention discloses a process to implement and maintain large water bodies with color, transparency, and cleanness characteristics similar to swimming pools or tropical seas, at low cost. The present invention also discloses a structure to contain large water bodies, comprising a system for the removal of impurities and surface oils by means of skimmers and a suction device to clean said structure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a remediation agent and method of remediation of an algae bloom are disclosed. The remediation agent contains light absorbing compounds in a buoyant water semi-insoluble and biodegradable casein product. The remediation agent may be distributed by boat or seeded by airplane to remediate or prevent algae blooms.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating contaminated water and may include an inlet, configured to receive contaminated water from a body of water. The contaminated water may include one or more pollutants (such as oil), and the apparatus may be configured to provide for separating those pollutant(s) from water to provide recovered pollutant(s) (e.g. recovered oil) and treated water. The apparatus may also include a water outlet for returning treated water to a body of water. In some examples, the apparatus comprises a separation volume, having inner and outer chamber, which can be used to separate rotating contaminated water.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is provided having a reactor, first and second bio media and an aeration system. The first bio medium is located proximate an inlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a top water level and the reactor's floor. The second bio medium is located proximate an outlet end of the reactor and extends vertically between a bottom water level and the reactor's floor. The media are adapted for retaining solids within the reactor as clarified water is withdrawn after treatment. The first bio media is further adapted to act as a baffle thereby causing wastewater to flow generally uniformly into a primary reactor zone. The aeration system includes a plurality of diffusers, some of which may be located adjacent or underneath the bio media and are adapted for promoting the shaking the bio media when activated in order dislodge excessive biomass therefrom.

Abstract: An offshore water-hydrocarbon separator system is capable of entrapping spilled oil offshore, and recovering the oil to a usable state for subsequent refining. The kinetic energy of a towing vessel provides the energy for establishing a flow path of oil and seawater through the hydrocarbon separator. Annular venturi provided at each successive stage in the separator accelerate a core flow of sea water substantially down the center of the flow path, while drag associated with aggregated oil particles forces oil outward, away from the core, to flow along the walls of each stage. The energy that establishes the core flow of water is provided by the kinetic energy of the surface vessel and the acceleration of core flow at each successive venturi. No other source of energy is needed to induce the water hydrocarbon separation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling the microbiological properties of a portion of water within a large body of water by treating such zone with chemical agents, according to the temperature of the water, its salinity, its dilution power and the diffusion of chemicals within the large water body.

Abstract: The scale inhibitors in a variety of aqueous systems, or a part or sample thereof, also including one or more dissolved interfering ions, are separated therefrom and analyzed, such scale inhibitors comprising a polymer containing at least one anionic functional group, e.g., a strong acid functional group or a phosphonate or phosphate ester, and such analysis including treating these aqueous systems with a cationic substrate or a free cation.

Abstract: This invention offers an effective method of inhibiting the growth of toxic bloom algae caused by cyanobacteria Mycrocystis aeruginosa in freshwater environments comprising administering an effective amount of 5,6-dichlorogramine to the freshwater. Also, the invention offers an effective method of inhibiting the growth of toxic bloom algae caused by M. aeruginosa comprising administering an effective amount of 5,6,7-trichlorogramine to the freshwater. Both compounds, 5,6-dichlorogramine and 5,6,7-trichlorogramine, may be administered individually or in combination to the freshwater. Both compounds are individually very potent and only need to be administered at a very low concentration to be effective at inhibiting the growth of M. aeruginosa in freshwater environments. Both 5,6-dichlorogramine and 5,6,7-trichlorogramine are each individually effective at inhibiting M. aeruginosa at low concentrations, between about 0.01 mg/L and about 0.05 mg/L, or more specifically at a concentration of about 0.03 mg/L.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to stable percarboxylic acid compositions comprising, inter alia, at least two stabilizing agents, and various uses for water treatments, including water treatments in connection with oil- and gas-field operations. The present invention also relates to slick water compositions and gel based compositions that comprise stable percarboxylic acid compositions and the use thereof in oil- and gas-field operations.

Abstract: An oil skimmer system on a marine vessel. The preferred embodiment contemplates a pickup wing pivotally mounted between two hulls in the forward section of the marine vessel, which is formed to collect and direct the oil to the pickup wing. The pickup wing is dynamically repositionable, the pickup wing mount having provided a mechanism for vertically positioning the unit in real time such that the front of the pickup wing is situated just below the water surface, to provide maximum collection of contaminants (in this case, hydrocarbons) floating thereupon. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the pickup wing has a “teardrop” cross sectional profile, and is configured such that fluid motion over the its forward section, either from vessel motion or fluid current, provides a skimming action, so as to urge the surface contaminants over the wing and into a recovery area, where it is separated from the water and pumped into a collection tank.

Abstract: A filter-anchor for placement on a sea floor is provided. It includes a filter housing for filtering sea water prior to entry into a water desalinization system. The filter housing has an exterior, an interior chamber, at least one inlet for providing the sea water to the interior chamber, and at least one outlet for enabling filtered water to be pumped from the interior chamber. A sand filter is disposed in the filter housing. The filter housing has at least one water conduction outlet conduit for filtered water to be pumped to the desalinization system. A wave energy conversion system utilizing the filter anchor is also provided to effect the pumping of the filtered water to the desalinization system. A method of anchoring a wave energy conversion system and providing filtered water to a desalinization system is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of raising the pH of a body of water having a pH of less than 4.5 by introducing neutralizing agent, the raising of the pH taking place in at least two stages thus: at pH levels below 4.5, a first neutralizing agent having a final conductivity of not more than 100 ?S/cm, and, after attainment of a pH of at least 4.5, a second neutralizing agent, having a final conductivity of more than 100 ?S/cm, is introduced into the body of water, the final conductivity of the neutralizing agents being defined as the conductivity of an aqueous suspension or solution of neutralizing agent in solution equilibrium at 25° C., having a neutralizing agent content of 0.015% by weight.

Abstract: The present invention mimics the natural process of oceanic upwelling wherein deep ocean water rises into the photic zone and provides a nutrient rich environment for phytoplankton, the beginning of the marine food chain. The power of waves is utilized to cause a down-flow of warm surface water though a plurality of conduits. A heat exchange process delivers warmth to the deep water which rises in a conduit due to a buoyancy that results from the warming. Deep ocean water that is rich in nutrients is brought into the photic zone to facilitate the primary production of marine life. The present invention can convert a non-fertile ocean environment into a fertile ocean environment. This fertile ocean environment can be used for aquaculture and to restore and also to enhance marine populations. The present invention vertically mixes ocean water which has a multitude of other advantages.

Abstract: A chlorine based biofouling control subsystem is utilized to facilitate shipboard water management systems such as ballast water management that employ filters. The biofouling control system can serve as a subsystem to promote antifouling and reduce the filter clogging due to biofouling, which improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the ballast water treatment management system. An antifouling agent of the biofouling control system breaks up the dense colonies of marine organisms being filtered or treated by the main water management systems.

Abstract: A screening installation includes, provided in a flume (5) conveying a fluid flowing with a total flow QE: a screening device (10) including a screen which includes at least one filter member in order to screen a fraction Q10 of the total flow, at least one first passage (31) in the flume which is adapted to allow a fraction Q31 of the total flow to pass such that QE=Q10+Q31, so long as the head loss between the upstream side and the downstream side of the screening device is less than a predetermined value, and at least one second passage (32) in the flume which is adapted to allow a fraction Q32 of the total flow to pass such that QE=Q10+Q31+Q32 when the head loss is greater than the predetermined value.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a sterilization method of contaminated areas with biological agents by making use of the acidic ozone water that very effectively kills spores of Bacillus atrophaeus, thereby demonstrating the capability of sterilizing a large surface-area in a very short time and reinstating the contaminated environment as free from toxic biological agents. The effective sterilization of the acidic ozone water is due to synergic benefits derived from the combination of ozone and acidity. The acidic ozone water can also effectively kill other ordinary microbes of viruses, bacteria, and fungi, hence being applicable to agriculture, seafood and livestock industries for the preservation of various products as well as being useful in hospitals or other germ infested areas for disinfections. Particularly, the acidity and ozone in the seawater sterilize microbes effectively, demonstrating a potential for the sterilization of a large amount of seawater in a short time.

Abstract: A method and system for managing heat energy in a fluid purification system is provided. Initially, air is compressed using one or more compressors to obtain a compressed hot air. Then one or more fluids are purified using the heat energy associated with the compressed hot air in one or more fluid purification units thereby releasing a compressed cooled air. One or more hot purified fluids are stored in one or more fluid storage tanks obtained in response to the purification of the one or more fluids. Thereafter, the compressed cooled air is heated using a heat energy associated with the one or more hot purified fluids to obtain a heated compressed air. Subsequently, one or more turbines are operated using heat energy associated with the heated compressed air to obtain an expanded cooled air. The expanded cooled air is utilized for cooling.

Abstract: A pipe system comprising i) an exploratory pipe extracting a fluid containing gas from waterways, ii) an injection pipe returning fluid depleted of gas and iii) a plurality of gas traps, wherein I) the gas traps are connected to the exploratory pipe and to the injection pipe such that the fluid is transferred from the exploratory pipe through the gas traps to the injection pipe, II) the gas traps disposed at specific distances vertically one above the other and relative to the fluid deposits to be depleted and connected together such that rising fluid passes from the exploratory pipe to a first gas trap located at a first pressure level at which a first gas/gas mixture is separated, whereupon depleted fluid passes to a second gas trap at a predefined pressure level in which a second gas/gas mixture is separated, wherein the first pressure and the second pressure are different from one another, and III) the gas traps are connected to one or more gas extraction devices.

Abstract: Method for inspecting, in real time, the quality of water of a drinking water delivery network comprising, on the one hand, on connections for consumers, consumption meters (9a) fitted with remote-reading devices, and, on the other hand, on-line analysers (10a) distributed at supervision points on the network in order to measure at least one parameter of water quality. The meters (9a) are fitted with remote-reading devices and the consumption data of the various meters (9a), and the measurements of the analysers (10a) are transmitted to a programmed computing unit (A) with a kinetic model of decrease of the quality parameter in question; the computing unit (A) permanently updates the hydraulic model according to the consumption data received from the meters (9a, 9b etc.

Abstract: A boat is provided with a pipe assembly operatively connected to a water pump. The pipe assembly can be raised and lowered between transport and use positions. The pump draws water from the body of water, and the water is discharged through a series of holes in a substantially horizontal pipe adjacent the bottom of the body of water. The impingement of the ejecting water dislodges oil or other substances, which then float to the surface for collection.

Abstract: A device for removing silt from flowing water by temporarily slowing the water enough to permit silt to settle naturally to the bottom is disclosed. The water may be slowed by a combination of increased depth and obstructions in the form of rough rocks and chain link fencing.

Abstract: A method of treating an agricultural-water canal to decompose organic debris in the agricultural-water canal provides a controlled delivery of calcium hypochlorite particles to the surface of water by entraining calcium hypochlorite particles in an air stream and then propelling the calcium hypochlorite-laden air stream at high velocity to the surface of the water, whereat the calcium hypochlorite particles are released from the air stream. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed. The device includes a gas blower, a feed hopper and a port which is adapted to direct and propel the biocide-laden gaseous stream to the surface of water in the agricultural-water canal.

Abstract: A sustainable method and system for treating and maintaining bodies of water at low cost for low density recreational use is disclosed. A system of the invention generally includes at least one containing means, at least one coordination means, at least one chemical application means, at least one non-intrusive mobile suction means, and at least one filtration means. The coordinating means can receive information regarding water quality parameters that are controlled, and can timely activate the processes necessary to adjust the water quality parameters within their respective limits. The disclosed methods and system filter only a small fraction of the total water volume, up to 200 times less per day than the flow filtered by conventional swimming pool filtration systems. The disclosed methods and system also use less chemicals, up to 100 times less than conventional swimming pool water treatment systems.

Abstract: An emergency filtration response method to an underwater oil emergency, useable in deepwater.