Abstract: A device for the sterilization of fluids wherein a sterilizing gas is chemically generated in-situ within a liquid-impermeable container, which container is in contact with the fluid to be sterilized. The container is constructed at least in part of a solid, non-porous, liquid-impermeable synthetic plastic barrier, which barrier permits controlled diffusion of the sterilizing gas therethrough while preventing passage therethrough of impurities and the residue of the gas generation reaction.

Abstract: Wastewater, particularly blowdown from a recycle gas-scrubbing and gas-cooling system of a blast furnace, is treated in a two-stage chlorination unit, the first stage including a chlorine addition at a pH of about 8.5 to about 10, preferably 9-9.5, and the second stage continuing the chlorination reaction at a pH of about 6 to about 8, preferably 7-7.5, while monitoring the oxidation-reduction potential of the second stage to utilize as a control point for chlorine addition in the first stage. Various contaminants, notably the nitrogen-containing compounds, are destroyed in the chlorination steps. A caustic or lime pretreatment is preferred for scale control at a pH of about 10.5 to about 11, preferably 10.7, while lime pretreatment is performed at a pH of about 9.6 to about 10, preferably 9.8. After chlorination, the process stream is preferably passed through activated carbon to remove organics.

Abstract: A pouch for the controlled release of active ingredients into an aqueous medium comprising liquid or solid active ingredients enclosed in a sealed envelope of cold water-insoluble polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: An in-line contactor adapted to bring about intimate contact between a disinfectant and a wastewater stream to produce a reaction between the disinfectant and pathogens effecting kills in a manner minimizing unwanted side effects. The wastewater stream is pumped through the successive stages of the contactor, the first of which is an input section having a converging nozzle that projects the stream at high velocity into a throat. The throat feeds the stream in a highly turbulent state through a mixing section, the resultant vacuum created within the throat acting to draw a disinfectant such as aqueous or gaseous chlorine from a disinfectant supply into the mixing section where it is thoroughly intermingled with the turbulent stream before the stream is discharged from the contactor through a diverging pressure-recovery output section.

Abstract: A method of removing ferrocyanide ions from the rinse water of an alkaline cyanide metal plating process which comprises adding a sufficient amount of manganous ions to the rinse water containing ferrocyanide ions to form a water insoluble precipitate of manganous ferrocyanide [Mn.sub.2 Fe (CN).sub.6 ] which can be readily separated from the rinse water.

Abstract: This is a process for recovering bromine from a waste liquid formed in the production of an aniline derivative by ammonolysis of a nuclear substituted bromobenzene derivative with a halogen atom or a functional group. The waste liquid is first subjected to chlorine treatment in alkaline region to remove most part of ammonia and aniline derivatives, and then it is subjected to chlorine treatment in acidic region to recover bromine. The process does not involve danger of explosion accidents and can be smoothly operated.

Abstract: A method of preparing water for human consumption by chlorinating water obtained from reservoirs, lakes, or streams, which water contains microorganisms and naturally occurring or pollutant organic precursor substances known to react with chlorine to yield one or more halogenated organic compounds, holding the chlorinated water for a period of time sufficient for the chlorine to react with said precursors to produce halogenated organic compounds, and then removing the halogenated organic compounds from the water by aeration. Such treatment also removes any bromine-containing organic compounds contained in the water and any chlorine derivatives thereof formed in the chlorine treatment.

Abstract: A disinfectant system for intermingling a disinfectant with an effluent to be treated, such as wastewater, to kill pathogens therein, the system enhancing contact between the effluent and the disinfectant to effect a rapid and efficient disinfection action. The system includes an ejector through which a minor portion of the effluent is pumped to produce a motive fluid which induces a disinfectant therein to produce a concentrated disinfectant fluid. Th ejector terminates in a cylindrical diffuser section having a closed end and at least two circumferential series of orifices whereby the disinfectant fluid is discharged therefrom as high velocity jets which project radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the section.

Abstract: The presence of hydroxyl impurities (--OH) in optical fiber precursor materials produces optical losses in fibers made from the precursor material, as in the modified chemical vapor deposition process. Typical precursor materials include SiCl.sub.4, GeCl.sub.4, POCl.sub.3, and PCl.sub.3. Losses due to --OH impurities occur near various wavelengths of current interest for optical communications systems. Adding chlorine and PCl.sub.3 to impure SiCl.sub.4, GeCl.sub.4, or POCl.sub.3 reduces the amount of --OH impurities and produces POCl.sub.3 and HCl. The HCl may be readily removed, while the POCl.sub.3 is typically left in the material. Bromine may be used instead of chlorine, and PBr.sub.3 may be used instead of PCl.sub.3. In addition, --OH impurities in PCl.sub.3 may be removed by the addition of chlorine or bromine, with the resulting HCl or HBr typically being removed.

Abstract: The process disclosed in this invention takes the waste solids, gases, and water from a phosphorus pentasulfide manufacturing facility and hydrolyzes the phosphorus pentasulfide by heating. The phosphorus portion is converted to a soluble phosphate and the sulfur portion to a mixture of sulfide, sulfite and sulfate. The soluble fraction is then treated with a calcium hydroxide solution precipitating the phosphate and sulfates which are removed. The gaseous portion of the hydrolysis is fed to a catalytic oxidizer which converts the sulfides to sulfur, which is removed and the gas, free of sulfur containing species, is exhausted to the atmosphere. The filtrate from the precipitation reaction can be recycled to the plant, or may be chlorinated and discharged.

Abstract: The present invention entails a chlorinator having a chlorine tank and a mixing tank and an inlet water line for receiving water from a source and dividing the water into two flows, one flow being directed into the chlorine tank while the other flow is directed into the mixing tank. Water directed into the chlorine tank is directed through chlorine so as to form a chlorine-water solution that is in turn directed to the mixing tank where this solution is mixed with water to form a final chlorine-water solution. This final chlorine-water solution can then be directed through a system of water lines to sterilize and disinfect the same. For convenience, the chlorinator is preferably built in an assembly form and is adapted to be interconnected within a water system such that the same can be interconnected between a source of water and the respective system of lines to be disinfected.

Abstract: In chlorinating a swimming pool equipped with a periodically operating pump arranged to circulate water from the pool through a filter assembly and back to the pool, chlorination of the pool water is accomplished by the use of a solid chlorinating material. The chlorinating material is introduced into an openable airtight chamber which has a water inlet to and a water outlet from the chamber at the bottom thereof. To prepare the chamber for insertion of chlorinating material, a valve in a duct to the water inlet is closed and a check valve associated with the outlet prevents backflow of water into the chamber so that before opening the chamber air previously contained in the chamber from a prior loading of chlorinating material expands in the chamber to express water from the chamber through the outlet, thereby providing an essentially dry chamber. The chamber is then opened and additional chlorinating material is placed therein. The chamber is then first closed and the valve to the inlet is opened.

Abstract: A compact, relatively small unit for treatment of wastewater for discharge into maritime waters is disclosed. The wastewater is received in a surge or retention tank and is delivered by gravity flow or pumped to a macerator for comminution of the solids content of the wastewater. Prior to entering the macerator, salt water on a controlled flow basis is added to the wastewater in sufficient amounts to insure a high enough salt content for use as the electrolyte in an electrocatalytic cell. From the macerator the wastewater to be treated is directed into a vertically oriented, elongated, electrocatalytic cell having a plurality of parallel, closely spaced electrodes therein positioned parallel to the flow of wastewater therethrough. The wastewater is directed through the electrocatalytic unit. The end electrodes of the spaced electrode plates are connected to a source of direct current sufficient to generate chlorine, oxygen and other treating chemicals in situ.

Abstract: Ground water containing ferrous compounds is first treated with aluminum sulfate before aeration followed by lime addition after aeration to produce an iron-aluminum sludge possessing an oxidative capacity. Portions of the sludge are recycled back to utilize the oxidative capacity of the sludge. Chlorine is added after the oxidative capacity of the sludge has been utilized. An improved oxidation and removal of iron is obtained, yielding a treated water low in iron content with decreased requirements for chlorine.

Abstract: A flowable, non-caking aqueous slurry of sodium chlorate and sodium chloride having a weight ratio of sodium chloride to sodium chlorate between about 0.55 and 0.65, and, more preferably, about 0.59, is described. The slurry contains a solid phase essentially entirely of sodium chloride. The slurries contain from about 28 to about 33% by weight sodium chlorate, from about 15 to about 21% by weight sodium chloride, and from about 45 to about 58% by weight water.The slurries are produced by forming an initial aqueous solution of sodium chlorate and sodium chloride containing from about 28 to about 50% by weight sodium chlorate and from about 0 to about 14% by weight sodium chloride and subsequently adding sufficient sodium chloride to obtain a slurry containing from about 28 to about 33% by weight sodium chlorate, from about 15 to about 21% by weight sodium chloride, and from about 45 to about 58% by weight water.

Abstract: Ascorbic acid, preferably enhanced in combination with copper sulfate, is an effective additive for water supplies in preventing the development or reducing the concentration of carcinogenic materials contained therein.

Abstract: A novel method for continuously monitoring and controlling the total alkalinity attributable to carbon dioxide, bicarbonate ion and carbonate ion such as is found in water and waste water treatment systems and in cooling towers. This method includes the steps of sampling the aqueous solution, adjusting the pH of the sample, detecting with a pCO.sub.2 probe the total carbon dioxide of the sample, and adding an alkalinity-controlling chemical to the aqueous solution. Also provided is a method for continuously monitoring this total alkalinity in a natural body of water.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide is effectively removed from potable water by the combined action of first chlorinating the water and then passing the chlorinated water through a bed of activated carbon. Chlorine is added in large doses to potable water containing dissolved hydrogen sulfide to convert substantially 90% of the hydrogen sulfide to sulfates. The chlorinated water containing residual hydrogen sulfide is then passed through a bed of activated carbon. Chemisorbed nascent oxygen in conjunction with the activated carbon catalytically affect breakdown of the remaining sulfide compounds into elemental sulfur.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for purifying water by the addition of a halogen such as iodine in a metered amount. Incoming water is divided into two branches, a first branch where the halogen is added and a second branch leading to a mixing tank where the halogen-water solution from the first branch is joined and turbulently mixed together. The fluid then passes into a main kill tank where the halogen-water mixture is held for at least one minute to allow the halogen to kill bacteria. The water-halogen mixture is then passed into a carbon-mesh filter to remove the halogen and any suspended or dissolved impurities to provide a purified, fresh tasting water.

Abstract: A waste treatment apparatus provides a cylindrical vessel adapted to receive a waste water flow therethrough to be treated. The vessel provides an aeration chamber at the outer peripheral portion thereof, with a desirable generally helical flow being generated by aeration bubbles striking angularly deposed baffle plates. A clarifier is provided at the central portion of the cylindrical vessel for clarifying a liquid which enters the clarifier from the aeration chamber. The clarifier comprises a first settling chamber and a second decant chamber through which clear water is collected and transmitted to a chlorination chamber for subsequent discharge. The angularly deposed baffle plates are mounted in the upper portion of the aeration chamber and aid in spinning waste water in a circular or curved path. Likewise, a pair of aeration diffusers mounted in the lower portion of the aeration chamber near the center of the cylindrical vessel move waste water to be treated upwardly and outwardly in a circular path.

Abstract: A chlorine generator is disclosed for use in chlorinating water in swimming pools, baths, reservoirs, sewage, etc. The generator is of the type consisting of two sealed compartments separated by an ion-permeable membrane and having a cathode in one compartment and an anode in the other. Hydrogen is evolved from the cathode compartment and chlorine from the anode compartment. In this generator, an electrically neutral or bipolar electrode (one not connected in the anode-cathode circuit) is positioned between the anode and the cathode adjacent to the ion-permeable membrane in the anode compartment. The chlorine generator is characterized by a more rapid start up in generating chlorine and in more rapid and more efficient generation of chlorine with chlorine being released at both the anode and the neutral electrode.

Abstract: A system for generating chlorine dioxide for use as a disinfectant in water or wastewater treatment, the system output including a percentage of chlorine at an acceptably low level, thereby avoiding the deleterious effect of chlorine in the disinfection process. The system is provided with a source of chlorine gas and a source of aqueous sodium chlorite, both of which are fed into a reactor to generate chloride dioxide therein. The output of the reactor is coupled to an ejector operated by a water stream to create a vacuum which draws chlorine dioxide from the reactor into the ejector to dilute the chlorine dioxide before it is supplied to a process being treated. The resultant negative pressure in the reactor acts to draw the chlorine gas therein from the source through a vacuum regulator which maintains the flow of chlorine gas into the reactor at a constant rate and acts to cut off the supply of chlorine in the absence of negative pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is novel apparatus and method for introducing various gasses into liquids. This as is commonly done in aerating or oxygenating liquids where growing aquatic life such as fish; instances concerning lagoon and pond treatment, absorption of oxygen in sewage or sewage-activated sludge mixture, introduction of chlorine or carbon dioxide gas into water for chemical treatment thereof. The method includes water treatment comprising the improved diffuser, aerator or sparger apparatus with the result of substantial enlargement in the known beneficial effects of such treatments; also, substantial and unexpected attendant benefit attributable to function of the diffuser apparatus. Principally the apparatus and method reduces the viscosity of water reducing the hydrogen bonding thereof at the time when presented for gas absorbtion. This when utilizing gas for aqueous liquid treatment or treatment of water with suspended pollutants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a chlorine dioxide generation apparatus and to a method of generating chlorine dioxide utilizing this apparatus. The novel apparatus comprises a generator having a mix and dwell premix chamber interconnected with a venturi preferably, or to some other source of vacuum, undiluted reactants are permitted to mix and react in the premix chamber, prior to any dilution as by water or other fluid flowing through a venturi eductor to deliver the generated chlorine dioxide to its place of storage or utilization.

Abstract: The level of trihalomethanes in drinking water is reduced by adding hydrogen peroxide to the water prior to chlorination.

Abstract: A process for disinfecting a water supply, employing as disinfectant a combination of monochloroamine and hydrogen peroxide for use as a disinfectant.The concentration of monochloroamine is preferably at least 0.02 ppm and generally not more than 0.5 ppm. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide is preferably at least 0.1 ppm and often not more than 1 ppm. Preferably the weight ratio of hydrogen peroxide to monochloroamine is in the range of 4:1 to 20:1.An advantage of employing a combination of monochloroamine and hydrogen peroxide as disinfectant is that a comparatively long lasting residual bactericide is thereby provided.

Abstract: A process for supplying a liquid such as a liquid containing chlorine to a stream of another liquid such as a cooling water stream is disclosed wherein the stream to which the liquid is fed is passed in a generally horizontally disposed conduit and the liquid being fed thereto is introduced into a stationary manifold disposed thereabove which manifold is in fluid communication with the plurality of vertically disposed discharge hoses of differing lengths each of which has an outlet opening, the oulet opening is being substantially evenly distributed throughout the cross-section of the conduit. Also disclosed is an apparatus for effecting such a process.

Abstract: A chlorine generator is disclosed as including an assembly for an electrolytic cell generating the chlorine and a separate assembly for feeding the chlorine gas into a body of water. The cell assembly preferably includes two separate electrolytic solutions separated by an ion permeable membrane, such that an anode and a cathode are positioned on each side of the membrane. The gas feed assembly is in fluid communication with the cell housing by two separate conduits which accommodate the flow of gas from the cell to the feed assembly, within which the gases are accumulated and intermixed with a portion of water which has been diverted from the main body of water to flow through the feed assembly and then back to the main body of water.