Abstract: Removal of oxidized contaminants from water. Perchlorate and other oxidized contaminants are reduced and removed from water with a method using a primary electron acceptor.

Abstract: A method for treating waste water fluid, wherein the method comprises the steps of macerating waste water fluid in a first tank forming a sheared fluid, filtering the sheared fluid to remove solids, forming unfiltered waste water and product water, flowing product water to the first tank when the waste water fluid level is below the product water manifold, flowing the product water to a second tank when the waste water fluid level covers the product water manifold, flowing product water in the second tank into a vented loop to a third tank, diluting fluid in the third tank with raw water from a raw water source forming de-chlorinated water; and removing the de-chlorinated water from the third tank.

Abstract: The invention provides a remediation method of soil, water and/or gases by prompt dehalogenation of halogenated hydrocarbons by allowing the halogenated hydrocarbons contained at least in one of the soil, water and/or gases to contact an iron powder containing about 0.03 to about 2% by mass of sulfur preferably on the surface, and an iron powder for use in the remediation method.

Abstract: A method for treating a subsurface formation with a ferrous compound, to reduce a contaminant therein, involves introducing into the subsurface formation a ferrous compound in combination with sodium hydrosulfite in an amount sufficient to substantially prevent precipitation, during the introducing, of a major portion of the ferrous compound. The method was found to be useful in the reduction of hexavalent chromium to trivalent chromium at a Superfund site.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for adding a dechlorination agent into a fluid stream prior to discharge and a method for treatment of chlorinated water. The portable apparatus can connect in any part of a fluid flow system. A bypass is provided such that a controlled portion of the fluid stream is diverted to a dechlorination agent. The dechlorination agent dissolves in the bypassed fluid flow. The bypassed, dechlorination agent enriched fluid re-enters and mixes with the fluid flow that was not bypassed. As the two streams mix, the total flow receives the required amount of dechlorination before being discharged into the environment. A valve controls proportional flow of the fluid stream through the bypass.

Abstract: A cost-effective method for reducing the dissolved sulfide content in a wastewater stream and thereby hydrogen sulfide emissions therefrom involving the steps of adding a transition metal salt to the wastewater stream at the upper reaches of a wastewater collection system prior to at least some hydrogen sulfide volatilization followed by addition of an oxidant to the wastewater stream to generate elemental sulfur and a transition metal salt which subsequently participates in additional hydrogen sulfide capturing steps, thereby also improving water quality and wastewater treatment plant operations.

Abstract: A method for in situ bioremediation of contaminants in the environment is described. The method includes adding an electron donor to ground water in an amount sufficient for a microbe in the ground water to use the electron donor for reducing the contaminant into an innocuous derivative thereof. Illustratively, the electron donor contains about 0.1 to 75% by weight of chitin, such as crustacean shell, partially deproteinized crustacean shell, ground mushrooms, or a fungal fermentation broth. The chitinous electron donor can be added to the ground water as a particulate solid or aqueous slurry.

Abstract: Oxygen scavenger which can exhibit excellent oxygen reduction effect in a wide variety of conditions is provided as an alternative volatile oxygen scavenger to hydrazine. The oxygen scavenger contains a heterocyclic compound having N-substituted amino group such as 1-amino-4-methylpiperazine and a hydroxylamine compound such as N,N-diethylhydroxylamine. The oxygen scavenger may further contain a polyhydric phenol type catalyst such as pyrogallol. By adding the oxygen scavenger to feed water of a water system of a boiler, oxygen reduction treatment of the water system is carried out.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for reducing the concentration of chloramines, chlorine, ammonia, nitrates and nitrites in saline and fresh waters by adding to the water a treating material selected from alkali metal and alkaline earth metal formaldehydesulfoxylates in a dry or solution form.

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: Methods for enhancing bioremediation of ground water contaminated with nonaqueous halogenated solvents are disclosed. An illustrative method includes adding a composition to the ground water wherein the composition is an electron donor for microbe-mediated reductive dehalogenation of the halogenated solvents and enhances mass transfer of the halogenated solvents from residual source areas into the aqueous phase of the ground water. Illustrative compositions effective in these methods include surfactants such as C2–C4 carboxylic acids and hydroxy acids, salts thereof, esters of C2–C4 carboxylic acids and hydroxy acids, and mixtures thereof. Other illustrative compositions according to the present invention include oleyl lactylic acid and, optionally, oleic acid and lactic acid or salts thereof. Especially illustrative compositions for use in these methods include lactic acid, salts of lactic acid, such as sodium lactate, lactate esters, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: There are provided a nitrogen treating method and system for a nitrogen compound, which can treat the nitrogen compound efficiently and which can reduce the size and cost of an apparatus. The gist is that, in a nitrogen treating method wherein a nitrogen compound in for-treatment water is treated according to an electrochemical technique, a cathode reaction region and an anode reaction region are defined by a cation exchange membrane interposed between a cathode and an anode, and the for-treatment water treated in the cathode reaction region according to the electrochemical technique is treated with hypohalogenous acid, or, ozone or active oxygen according to a chemical technique.

Abstract: A method for treating a work material containing a target constituent, including the steps of presenting the work material for treating in accordance with the method; and applying a treating agent to the work material operable to treat the work material to render substantially harmless the target constituent in the work material.

Abstract: A water filtration device (3) and method which removes heavy metals and organic compounds from raw water is provided.

Abstract: A method includes triggering an oxygen scavenger; and storing the scavenger in a container configured such that the oxygen scavenger exhibits no substantial oxygen scavenging activity while inside the container. The triggered oxygen scavenger can later be removed from the container, and used in packaging oxygen sensitive products. A stored oxygen scavenger, triggered, is also disclosed. A method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing a tubular film at a first location, the film having oxygen barrier and oxygen scavenger layers; triggering the oxygen scavenger; collapsing the film; rolling up the film; transporting the film to a second location; and triggering the oxygen scavenger. Another method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing an oxygen scavenger film at a first location; transporting the film to a second location; triggering the oxygen scavenger; storing the oxygen scavenger film in a container; and transporting the film to a third location.

Abstract: A denitrification system for denitrified wastewater or nitrified water treatment using a detergent or detergent-like compound comprising available carbon. The system comprises a plurality of interconnected tanks including a mixing tank which feeds detention tanks which in combination provide a detention time period for the effluent. A controller determines the amount of detergent dispensed into the mixing tank in accordance with the measured volume of effluent to be treated. The mixing tank comprises a heater for maintaining the nitrified effluent temperature above 50 degrees F. An optional line filter can be added to the output of the system for further reducing organic nitrogen concentration. An alternate embodiment comprises passing the final denitrified effluent through a pump chamber for pumping of the effluent to a sand filter capable of reducing bacterial populations.

Abstract: There are proposed a waste water treating method, a waste water treating appratus and a waste water treating system which are capable of treating a nitrogen compound and a phosphorus compound in the same treating vessel and treating waste water containing a nitrogen compound and a phosphorus compound efficiently. The waste water treating method is a method for treating a nitrogen compound and a phosphorus compound in for-treatment water by an electrochemical process, wherein a metal material constituting a cathode is a conductive material, a conductive material constituting an anode is an insoluble material or carbon, and there is carried out at lease one of a step of adding calcium chloride to the for-treatment water and a step of immersing an iron material in the for-treatment water.

Abstract: A boiler water treatment chemical includes a heterocyclic compound with N-substituted amino group, or the salt thereof, and alkaline agent and/or water soluble polymer.

Abstract: A method for purifying matter contaminated with a halogenated organic compound is disclosed. The method includes the step of adding a reducing agent and a nutritional source for a heterotrophic anaerobic microorganism to the contaminated matter. The reducing agent is reduced iron, cast iron, iron-silicon alloy and so on, or a water soluble compound. A combination of chemical reactions with microorganisms allows to decompose the halogenated organic compound. The nutritional source including an organic carbon and 20 to 50 percent by weight of an oxidized form of nitrogen is added, thereby preventing by products of the decomposition such as generation of noxious gases and decoloration of soil. A method includes the steps of mixing a reducing agent and a nutritional liquid with the contaminated matter, wherein the mixing step including a step of adjusting the contaminated matter at pH ranging from 4.5 to 9.

Abstract: A method is described to decompose perchlorate in a FeCl3/HCl aqueous solution such as would be used to regenerate an anion exchange resin used to remove perchlorate. The solution is mixed with a reducing agent, preferably an organic alcohol and/or ferrous chloride, and can be heated to accelerate the decomposition of perchlorate. Lower temperatures may be employed if a catalyst is added.

Abstract: A process for the purification of organometallic compounds or heteroatomic organic compounds from oxygen, water and from the compounds deriving from the reaction of water and oxygen with the organometallic or heteroatomic compounds whose purification is sought, comprising the operation of contacting the organometallic or heteroatomic compound to be purified in the liquid state or in form of vapor, pure or in a carrier gas, with a hydrogenated getter alloy, and optionally also with one or more gas sorber materials selected among palladium on porous supports and a mixture of iron and manganese supported on zeolites.

Abstract: Systems and methods for effectively and economically annihilating non-indigenous marine species and pathogenic bacteria in ship ballast water. A preferred embodiment comprises adding a killing agent to ballast water tanks and subsequently adding a reducing agent to the container. Oxygen is subsequently introduced to the ballast water to eliminate any excess reducing agent, and to ensure compliance with the dissolved oxygen discharge requirements of the receiving water.

Abstract: A process for removing uranium/vanadium-based contaminants from groundwater using a primary in-ground treatment media and a pretreatment media that chemically adjusts the groundwater contaminant to provide for optimum treatment by the primary treatment media.

Abstract: A streamlined method for purifying alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) from an AAT-containing protein mixture, such as a Cohn fraction IV precipitate, is provided. In the method of the invention, contaminating proteins are destabilized by cleavage of disulfide bonds with a reducing reagent, such as a dithiol, which does not affect AAT. The destabilized proteins are then preferentially adsorbed on a solid protein-adsorbing material, without the addition of a salt as a precipitant. Separation of the solid adsorbent from the solution leaves a purified AAT solution that is directly suitable for chromatographic purification, without the need for extensive desalting as in prior art processes. A process incorporating this method, which provides pharmaceutical grade AAT in high yield on a commercial scale, is also described.

Abstract: The claims are drawn to a method of detecting seal breakage or incomplete seal formation in a package, said method comprising the steps of: (i) providing said package, prior to sealing, with a strip or ring of an indicator comprising an oxygen scavenging composition which includes a source of labile hydrogen or electrons and at least one reducible organic compound, wherein said strip or ring is located on an internal surface adjacent to where a seal is to be formed, (ii) treating the strip or ring with electromagnetic energy so as to reduce the reducible organic compound to a reduced form which is oxidizable by ground state molecular oxygen regardless of the presence of a transition metal catalyst and such that, when oxidized, there is a detectable change in a characteristic of said composition selected from the group consisting of: colour, fluorescence emission and UV-visible, infrared or near-infrared absorption, (iii) subjecting said package to a sealing process intended to seal the package, and (iv) detec

Abstract: A method for regenerating a used halide fluid comprising a density greater than 9.0 lbs/gal. and containing both soluble and insoluble impurities. This method comprises the steps of (1) adding acid to the used halide fluid so that the pH is within a range of approximately 0 to 10.0; (2) contacting the used halide fluid with halogen to increase the density to at least 10.0 lbs./gal., adjust the desired true crystallization temperature of the fluid and oxidize soluble impurities; (3) adding a reducing agent while maintaining the temperature at a minimum of 10° C.; (4) contacting the fluid with an alkali to neutralize excess acid; and (5) separating any suspended solid impurities from the fluid.

Abstract: The ullage space gases of a ship's ballast tanks (i) are depressurized to a pressure less than atmosphere—called an “underpressurized” condition—of most preferably about 14.7 PSIA or lower, simultaneously that (ii) they are inerted, preferably to <4% O2 and more preferably to <2% O2. Oxygen within the ballast water is rapidly, preferably within hours, substantially depleted, preferably to <1% PPM and more preferably to <0.6 PPM, by circulating these inerted ullage space gases through the ballast water as bubbles, removing oxygen from the ballast water more by outgassing than by diffusion. The rapidly de-oxygenated ballast water is preferably so maintained for the substantial portion of the ship's voyage, which is effective in killing most aerobic aquatic life within the ballast water.

Abstract: The invention comprises novel apparatuses and testing methods for evaluating a fluid diffusion component. The apparatus includes a fluid capable of undergoing oxidation or reduction, a half-cell electrode assembly able to receive the fluid, and a change in acidity indicator in communication with the assembly. An inventive method of the invention includes the steps of passing a fluid capable of undergoing oxidation or reduction through a half-cell electrode assembly to form a sample, contacting the sample with an indicator, and detecting a change in acidity in the indicator.

Abstract: A nutrient solution is reduced with a reducing agent, and introduced into a contaminated object. Alternatively, groundwater reduced with a reducing agent is introduced into the contaminated object. Groundwater is contacted with the reducing agent while being circulated between an aquifer and a housing. A nutrient source for heterotrophic anaerobic microorganism may also be introduced into the contaminated object. The contaminated object contaminated with halogenated organic compounds can be purified efficiently and easily.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, which are useful in removing dissolved oxygen from a fluid stream, preferably an aqueous stream. The compositions comprise blend of an oxime and a primary hydroxylamine. This invention also relates to a process for removing oxygen from an aqueous system, which comprises adding an oxime and a primary hydroxylamine to a fluid system.

Abstract: A method is described to decompose perchlorate in a FeCl3/HCl aqueous solution such as would be used to regenerate an anion exchange resin used to remove perchlorate. The solution is mixed with a reducing agent, preferably an organic alcohol and/or ferrous chloride, and can be heated to accelerate the decomposition of perchlorate. Lower temperatures may be employed if a catalyst is added.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for recovering lithium cobalt oxide from spent lithium batteries. The method of recovering lithium cobalt oxide comprises the steps of: separating the anodes by dismantling the spent lithium batteries; obtaining lithium cobalt oxide by reacting the anodes with a strong alkali solution under a certain hydrothermal condition; cooling the lithium cobalt oxide to crystallize; and cleansing the synthesized lithium cobalt oxide to remove foreign objects. The apparatus for recovering lithium cobalt oxide comprises a reactor main body 300 having a sealing cap 320 on the upper section and an agitator 130; an outer reacting container 200 installed inside the reactor main body 300; and an inner reacting container 100 installed inside the outer reacting container 200. The inner reacting container 100 comprises a plurality of holes on the upper section and a separating cap 240.

Abstract: A treatment effective for removing or substantially reducing the amount of Cr+6 present in drinking water or wastewater is described. The method includes adding a stannous salt of a non-carbon acid, in an amount effective to reduce most or substantially all of the chromic ion in the water.

Abstract: Process for removing deposits from water-carrying systems and devices for water supply, or from their individual parts, in which the deposits are dissolved by means of an aqueous treatment solution and removed in dissolved form from the system or the device or their individual parts, wherein the deposits are dissolved by means of an aqueous treatment solution comprised of a combination of (i) a reducing agent, in particular in the form of a slat-like, reducing sulfur-oxygen compound, nitrogen-oxygen compound or phosphorous-oxygen compound, and (ii) a complexing agent having phosphonic acid groups or phosphonate groups or a complexing agent of the hydroxy acid type at pH values in the range of approximately 4.5 to 9.5, in particular from approximately 6.0 to 8.0.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of waste water containing heavy metals in which sulphur components and/or metals are biologically reduced to precipitate the metals as water-insoluble metal species, which are separated from the waste water. The biological reduction and the precipitation of the metal species are carried out in a moving sand bed, in which sand particles partly immobilize the bacteria and retain the precipitated metal species, treated waste water is separated from the precipitated metal species and the precipitated metal species are subsequently separated from the sand particles. Metals like selenium and uranium can be precipitated without sulphur components, whereas metals like antimony, cadmium, copper, zinc and the like are precipitated as sulphides.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing the growth of microorganisms and other contaminants of water processing and holding systems. Rapid reduction in the growth of fungi, algae, spores, molds, bacteria, protozoa and/or other contaminating microorganisms found in water processing and holding equipment is achieved by placing a material comprising an antimicrobial composition, preferably one containing a metal oxide and a binder, in an area of such equipment where there is water movement or storage, thereby destroying contaminating water-borne or air borne microorganisms in the water and on the surfaces of the equipment in contact with the water.

Abstract: A method is taught for converting metal contaminants in the soil to less toxic forms as well as permitting their removal from groundwater. A first reactive solution comprising ferrous sulfate and an acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid is injected to decomplex contaminants and precipitate them as insoluble compounds. A second reactive solution comprising hydrogen peroxide, and an acid selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid is then injected to destroy organic liquids and enhance decomplexation. The pH of the first solution may range from 3 to 5, and the pH of the second solution range from 3 to 7, preferably 5 to 7. The process is particularly effective where chromium compounds such as hexavalent chromium are the contaminants.

Abstract: A waste stream from energetics processing is treated using a pre-filter having media, preferably sand, and a metal that has a reducing potential, preferably elemental iron (Fe0). The pre-filter is connected to a zero-valent metal column reactor. The waste stream is pumped through the pre-filter to trap solids and deoxygenate it, then enters the reactor and is subjected to a reducing process. Most of the Fe0 is transformed to the ferrous ion (Fe+2), added to the resultant product, and fed to a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) in which Fenton oxidation occurs. This product is then sent to a sedimentation tank and pH-neutralized using a strong base such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The aqueous portion is drawn off and the sludge pumped from the sedimentation tank. Both tanks are monitored and controlled to optimize required additives, while monitoring of pressure drop across the pre-filter and column reactor establishes replacement requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for eliminating halogen-containing compounds contained in a gas or a liquid, characterized in that the gas or liquid is brought into contact with a composition based on an alumina and/or a hydrated alumina and at least one compound (A) comprising at least one metallic element selected from metals from groups VIII, IB and/or IIB of the periodic table, and in that the total metallic element(s) content is at most 45% by weight with respect to the total composition weight, the complement by weight preferably comprising in a major part alumina and/or hydrated alumina.

Abstract: A purification method for purifying contaminated underground water comprises the steps of characterizing the soil composition at the location of the contaminated water, taking a sample of the contaminated underground water from one or more wells at the location of contaminated water, characterizing the concentrations of contaminants in the collected sample, introducing into the sample a nutrient environment comprising mineral and organic components to effect the growth of sulfate reducing bacteria, accumulating a biomass of selected sulfate reducing bacteria, and introducing the biomass into the contaminated water via one or more wells at the location of the contaminated water.

Abstract: A process for preparing a disinfectant for use in swimming pools and the like. The process provides a formulation containing copper sulfate pentahydrate that will remain suspended so long as the formulation is maintained at a temperature above 40° F. The process includes the step of mixing the copper sulfate pentahydrate with water, sulfuric acid and ammonium sulfate at a temperature of 187° F.±10° F., then rapidly cooling the mixture to a temperature of 57-65° F. Colloidal silver or gold added to the formulation before the step of rapidly cooling will also remain suspended. Hydrogen peroxide may be added to enhance the performance of the disinfectant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for converting chemical structures, that is to say a process for the conducting of chemical reactions in a fluid under pressure and at temperature in a supercritical fluid in particular, containing a solvent and at least one electrolyte such as a salt, in which reactive species are generated in situ by electrolysis. According to the invention, the fluid flows upwards in a reservoir reactor crossing through a first lower electrolysis zone with high salt solubility and a second upper zone in which the salts precipitate, then the fluid free of salt is evacuated at the upper part of said reservoir reactor and directed into a second tubular reactor to reach the desired stage of advancement of the conversion.

Abstract: An oxygen scavenger, containing a heterocyclic compound having a N-substituted amino group as an effective component, can adequately exhibit the oxygen scavenging effect in not only feed water lines for high temperature water, a boiler, and steam and condensate return lines, but also feed water lines for low temperature water. The oxygen scavenger contains: a heterocyclic compound having a N-substituted amino group or a salt thereof; a hydroxybenzene derivative and/or a naphthoquinone derivative; and neutral amine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are chemical methods for reducing concentrations of perchlorate ion in sources of water to be used for potable purposes. The disclosed methods include contacting water containing perchlorate ion with iron metal to chemically reduce the perchlorate ion to a more innocuous ion species. The metal can then be removed. The instant methods also relate to contacting perchlorate contaminated water with iron metal or a metal oxide in the presence of phosphoric acid to form a complex with perchlorate ion and adsorb the complex onto the iron, which is then removed from the water. These methods provide an environmentally safe and economically efficient means to effectively remove perchlorate ion from potable water sources, resulting in water that is safe for human use and consumption.

Abstract: A process for treating which contains carbonaceous solids, includes subjecting the water to hydrolysis in a biological hydrolysis reaction stage, in the presence of sulfate ions, thereby to produce treated water, a slurry component, and a sulfur-containing component. Treated water, the slurry component, and the sulfur-containing component are withdrawn from the reaction stage.

Abstract: This invention relates to remediation systems, and more particularly to remediation systems for water, soil, and sediment bodies using thin-layer coated microbubbles.

Abstract: A composition for reducing the concentration of molecular oxygen present in an atmosphere or liquid, comprising at least one reducible organic compound which is reduced under predetermined conditions, the reduced form of the compound being oxidizable by molecular oxygen, wherein the reduction and/or subsequent oxidation of the organic compound occurs independent of the presence of a transition metal catalyst.

Abstract: A treatment effective for removing or substantially reducing the amount of Cr+6 present in drinking water or wastewater is described. The method includes adding a stannous salt of a non-carbon acid, in an amount effective to reduce most or substantially all of the chromic ion in the water.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a used halide fluid comprising a density greater than 9.0 lbs/gal. and containing both soluble and insoluble impurities. This method comprises the steps of (1) adding acid to the used halide fluid so that the pH is within a range of approximately 0 to 10.0; (2) contacting the used halide fluid with halogen to increase the density to at least 10.0 lbs./gal., adjust the desired true crystallization temperature of the fluid and oxidize soluble impurities; (3) adding a reducing agent while maintaining the temperature at a minimum of 10° C.; (4) contacting the fluid with an alkali to neutralize excess acid; and (5) separating any suspended solid impurities from the fluid.

Abstract: Ascorbic acid or one of its isomers, such as erythorbic acid is added in sufficient quantities to a chlorite-containing solution to rid the solution of chlorite. Sufficient ascorbic acid is added to the chlorite-containing solution to convert the chlorite to chloride. Industrial processes employing this process are disclosed.