Abstract: A method for substantially reducing cyanide and formate concentrations in gasification wastewater streams comprising first removing suspended solids from the wastewater stream, then adding sufficient hydrogen peroxide to completely oxidize contained cyanide ions and formate ions to form a feed solution, and then irradiating the resultant solution with sufficient UV light so as to substantially reduce said contained cyanide ions and formate ions.

Abstract: A method of treating mine drainage water including the step of adding a scale control agent to the mine drainage water and, optionally, adding an oxidizing agent to the mine drainage water and/or precipitating and settling the metals in their hydroxide form from the water. The treated water may be safely returned to the environment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treatment of bodies of water such as recreational pools, spas and hot tubs with maintenance doses of water treatment chemicals to achieve consistent sanitization and aesthetically pleasing levels of properties such as turbidity. The amount of the maintenance doses is based on the volume of water to be treated in order to achieve hygienic and clear water. The method can be automated for accurate, consistent and safe treatment of water such as found in swimming pools, spas or hot tubs.

Abstract: A method for starting up a system for oxidating organic bodies. The system includes a tubular body wherein an aqueous body is injected into the inlet thereof at a pressure P1 the tubular body having a first zone extending the inlet thereof, a second zone into which an oxidating compound can be injected into the output thereof. The inventive method includes the following steps: a first amount of thermal energy Q1 is provided in the first zone, the amount of thermal energy being able to raise the temperature of the liquid flowing through the tubular body from an initial temperature to a higher temperature T1; and a determined amount of a combustible mixture which can react at the intermediate temperature T1 in order to provide an amount of thermal energy Q2 bringing the temperature of the liquid to a reaction temperature T2 is injected.

Abstract: A method or process of treating a contaminated fluid (10) having at least one contaminant having a property selected from the group consisting of being volatile, hazardous, tacky and a combination thereof is provided. The method comprises contacting the contaminated fluid with an effective amount of an agent (12) selected from oxidizing agents, free radical producing agents and a combination thereof for an effective amount of time to convert a substantial amount of the at least one contaminant to at least one corresponding modified contaminant having a property selected from the group consisting of being non-volatile, less volatile than the converted contaminant non-hazardous, less hazardous than the converted contaminant, non-tacky and a combination thereof; and generating a treated fluid (14) having a level of the at least one contaminant and of the at least one corresponding modified contaminant to allow the treated fluid to at least meet requirements for release, reuse or further treatment.

Abstract: My invention provides an oxidizing solution and process for the in situ oxidation of contaminants, including hydrocarbon, organic, bacterial, phosphonic acid, and other contaminants, the contaminants being found in various surfaces and media, including soil, sludge, and water. In a preferred embodiment, the solution includes a peroxygen compound, such as hydrogen peroxide, in solution with a pre-mixed solution of a carboxylic acid and a halogen salt, such as glycolic acid and sodium bromide, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the treatment of a plant gaseous stream containing odor compounds including hydrogen sulfide, an alkyl mercaptan or an alkyl thiol and mixtures thereof by contacting the plant stream with an oxidizing agent that reduces the odor but forms elemental sulfur. The elemental sulfur, and other inorganic, scales that form, or deposit, can be suppressed or removed using a specific aromatic substituted nonionic surfactant material. The use of such a process produces a significant improvement in odor quality while maintaining a clean process facility and low operating pressure drop.

Abstract: A system for treating contaminated media is provided. In the process, contaminants are removed from the media using a photocatalytic process operating in an aqueous phase.

Abstract: Synergistic mixtures of biocides and their use to control the growth of microorganisms in aqueous systems are disclosed. The method of using the synergistic mixtures entails adding an effective amount of a nitrogenous compound activated by an oxidant and at least one non-oxidizing biocide to an aqueous system. The amount of activated nitrogenous compound and non-oxidizing biocide is selected to result in a synergistic biocidal effect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for improving the performance of filtration devices by adding P- and/or N-containing compounds to the medium to be filtered.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating free radical species can be used to sanitize water systems. The apparatus generates hydroxyl free radical species using substantially pure water, or using a liquid that is substantially free of oxygen-reactive species, to maximize free radical species generation to sanitize the water system. The free radical species are generated by ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of less than or equal to 254 nm.

Abstract: A microporous diffuser includes a first elongated member including at least one sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings. The sidewall defines an interior hollow portion of the member. The diffuser has a second elongated member having a second sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings, the second member being disposed through the hollow region of the first member. The diffuser includes an end cap to seal a first end of the microporous diffuser and an inlet cap disposed at a second end of microporous diffuser for receiving inlet fittings.

Abstract: Method for reducing harmful organisms on surfaces in contact with continuously or periodically flowing currents of cooling water used for throughflow cooling without recirculation, wherein the harmful organisms are algae, mussels and slime forming organisms, by periodically adding an aqueous treatment agent containing at least one peroxycarboxylic acid with 1 to 6 C atoms to the flowing water once every 5 to 100 hours over a period of 3 to 60 minutes in an amount corresponding to at least 1 ppm of peroxycarboxylic acid to reduce growth of the organisms on the surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for selectively removing one or more organic and inorganic and also preferably one or more inorganic contaminants from plating baths. More particularly, the invented method relates to the use of a source of energy in combination with chemical oxidants, alone or in conjunction with a catalyst to oxidize organic contaminants in the plating bath to a level such that the electroplating bath can be recovered and reused after appropriate chemical adjustment. The oxidative treatment method may be a continuous process or a batch process that is performed in a single pass. Residual organics, if desired and chloride ions in the bath are removed from the solution by a chemisorption or physisorption treatment. Inorganic contaminants are removed from the electroplating bath by selective ion exchange resins or electrodialysis, while particulate and suspended colloidal particles are removed by filtration before the treated plating bath is recycled.

Abstract: A method of treating mine drainage water including the step of adding a scale control agent to the mine drainage water and, optionally, adding an oxidizing agent to the mine drainage water and/or precipitating and settling the metals in their hydroxide form from the water. The treated water may be safely returned to the environment.

Abstract: A method for oxidizing organic matter contained in an aqueous effluent and an installation for implementing the method. The method comprises the following steps: injecting into a tubular body the aqueous effluent; bringing the aqueous effluent to a pressure P1, corresponding to the critical pressure of the aqueous effluent; bringing the aqueous effluent to a temperature T1; and injecting into the tubular body at n points spaced apart from one another, n fractions of at least an oxidizing composition, so that a portion of the thermal energy produced by the oxidation reaction increases the temperature of the reaction mixture from said temperature T1 to temperature T2>T1 according to an increasing curve, whereby the organic matter is oxidized, the reaction mixture continuously developing from a sub-critical liquid state to the supercritical domain.

Abstract: Techniques for treating waste water by adding a valent ion, such as CaO/CaCO3, which depends on the pH value of the waste water, to reduce the chemical oxygen demand (COD) are provided. Organic acid intermediates formed from the oxidization of organics with ozone will chelate with valent ions dissolved in water and precipitate from the waste water, so as to reduce the amount of ozone consumed and save cost. The method of the present invention is preferably conducted by adjusting the pH value of the reaction and/or adding hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A system for making use of rainwater falling on houses and buildings, which comprises a means for removing a predetermined quantity of initial precipitation from the rainwater collected form the roof surface of the building; and a purifier receiving the subsequent rainwater from which the initial precipitation has been removed. The purifier includes a filtering tank, a sterilization tank, and a supply tank connected to the sterilization tank. The filtering tank has a physical filter and a pH adjusting agent, the sterilization tank contains a primary reactive catalyst for producing active oxygen species, and the supply tank supplies aqueous hydrogen peroxide to the primary reactive catalyst. The system also has a storage tank that stores the purified rainwater supplied from the purifier. The storage tank contains a secondary reactive catalyst for decomposing and eliminating residual active oxygen species remaining in the purified rainwater supplied from the purifier.

Abstract: A method of cleaning water systems and a potassium monopersulfate composition that is used for the method are presented. Potassium monopersulfate with a low concentration (<0.5 wt. %) of potassium oxodisulfate byproduct is used for the method. Due to the low potassium oxodisulfate concentration, the composition is not subject to stringent usage restrictions that are applied to currently available potassium monopersulfate compositions. Also presented is a polysaccharide coating that can be used to control the rate at which the potassium monopersulfate dissolves upon use. Using the coating, the potassium monopersulfate composition can be used continuously instead of in a periodic shock treatment as is currently done. The low oxodisulfate concentration allows the method to be used regardless of whether the water system is being used by bathers.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water comprises: a) Adding to the water an oxidizing agent in a stunning concentration, wherein the detention time of said agent between adding it to water and the subsequent steps of filtration and/or irradiation is up to about 90 seconds; b) filtering the oxidized water by a filtration system having a filtering size larger than the average size of suspended organic matter in the water; and c) exposing the oxidized and filtered water to irradiation.

Abstract: Cost-effective processes and tools used therein are described that decontaminate sludge using remedial water in a closed and environmentally friendly system. Typical contaminants such as toxic metals, microorganisms, and toxic compounds are detoxified or destroyed by one or more remedial water treatments to sludge that is confined to the closed system. The closed system may comprise a covered rail road car, ISO container, or other large space into which the remedial water, and optionally, remedial gas, is applied by injection or other means. In a preferred embodiment, water is electrochemically activated at the site of use and injected through an array of pipes within the container. A large variety of other waters and combinations of water, and even air treatments are particularly useful in combination with the closed system for treating sludge.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for purifying aqueous effluents, in particular polluted water, by catalytic oxidation using a three-phase reactor comprising two communicating chambers. The invention is characterised in that it consists in: maintaining the catalyst suspended and continuously circulating it between the two chambers of said reactor, by entrainment under the effect of carrier gas injected into one of said chamber, and in oxidizing the pollutants in contact with the in the other chamber, by injecting a reactive oxidizing gas in said other chamber.

Abstract: A bioremediation method and system for destroying or reducing the level of contaminants in a contaminated subterranean body of water includes a plurality of spaced injection sites. The injection sites extend below ground and intersect a body of groundwater. Each of the plurality of injection sites are in communication with a supply of concentrated oxygen. The oxygen is conveyed by a delivery mechanism from the supply of oxygen to the injection points to naturally reduce the contaminants in the groundwater. The amount of oxygen delivered to the groundwater is maintained such that the amount of oxygen in the soil gas vapor is between 15% and 25%.

Abstract: Animal waste such as fecal material from swine, chicken, turkey, and cattle is converted into useful forms such as fertilizer, other types of soil builders, and even nutrient feed additives. Devices, systems, and methods are provided that allow economical conversion and in many instances, alleviate the production and release of undesirable gases such as sulfide and ammonia. In one embodiment, undesirable anaerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria are killed at a greater rate than desirable soil compatible aerobic bacteria. The use of low temperature killing diminishes off gassing commonly associated with other techniques, and the use of gas trapping additives such as zeolites provides enhanced soil building qualities such as slow release of nitrogen and slow release of moisture to soil. The methods allow convenient adjustment of composition, allowing conversion of waste into tailored designer fertilizer suited for particular soils.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid biological and chemical method for decontaminating sludge containing heavy metals and pathogenic microorganisms, consisting of the following steps: the sludge is mixed with an acidic leaching solution in order to acidify the sludge with a pH which is low enough to solubilize the majority of the heavy metals and to destroy most of the pathogenic microorganisms but which is also high enough to minimize the solubilization of fertilizing elements; oxidation-reduction of more than +400 mv is maintained, liquid-solid separation occurs in order to obtain a solid fraction comprising decontaminated acidic sludge and a liquid fraction comprising heavy metals which are dissolved in a leaching solution; the sludge is neutralized: and neturalized decontaminated sludge is recovered, whereby the fertilizing elements contained therein, i.e. carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus, remain substantially unchanged in relation to the initially contaminated sludge.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating free radical species can be used to sanitize water systems. The apparatus generates hydroxyl free radical species using substantially pure water, or using a liquid that is substantially free of oxygen-reactive species, to maximize free radical species generation to sanitize the water system. The free radical species are generated by ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of less than or equal to 254 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for the remediation of contaminated water, soils and/or sediments. In some embodiments, the system includes one or more conduits for injection of hydrogen peroxide and ozone based reagents.

Abstract: A water treatment agent and method of treating water to inhibit, reduce, or prevent the formation of algae and bacteria in a water body. The water treatment agent may include copper sulfate penta-hydrate and/or silver, di-sodium ethylene di-amine tetra-acetic acid dihydrate, a scale inhibitor, a shocking agent and a buffer agent. For instance, the treatment agent may include a composition of copper sulfate pentahydrate, di-sodium ethylene di-amine tetra-acetic acid, monopotassium phosphate or sulfuric acid, and potassium monopersulfate and 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating an ore comprising mineral substrate particles surrounded by hydrocarbon compounds, especially tar sand grains, process tailings, and contaminated soils, to recover a hydrocarbon portion and a cleaned substrate portion. In a preferably continuous process, hydrocarbonaceous rock, sand, ore, tailings, or soil containing bitumen, petroleum, and/or kerogen may be crushed or otherwise comminuted as needed to provide a particle size of sand or smaller. The ore is mixed with water to form a slurry, which may also contain alkali, for example, sodium hydroxide or sodium bicarbonate. The slurry is heated to about 80° C. and is intensively sheared to condition the slurry for separation, preferably by shear-fracture of the hydrocarbon layers surrounding the particles in the grains.

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 process for reducing organic sulfur in a fluid, which comprises an organic sulfur compound, comprises contacting the fluid with an oxidizing agent to produce a pretreated fluid and contacting the pretreated fluid with an biologically active solid.

Abstract: Radioactive laundry liquid wastes are supplied in a liquid waste heating vessel. Hydrogen peroxide and an alkali solution are supplied to the liquid waste heating vessel. The pH of the radioactive laundry liquid wastes is adjusted to 7 or higher by the alkali solution. The radioactive laundry liquid wastes are heated to 50° C. or higher by a heating device and introduced to first and second aeration vessels. The temperature is controlled by a device in accordance with the value measured by a thermometer. Ozone is supplied from an ozone generator by way of an ozone gas discharge port to the first aeration vessel. Ozone discharged from the first aeration vessel is introduced from the ozone gas discharge port to the second aeration vessel. Therefore, the amount of ozone dissolved into the radioactive laundry liquid wastes is increased so that the amount of hydroxy radicals formed for decomposing organic substances increases, since the laundry liquid wastes are heated to 50° C.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating waste effluent, particularly photographic effluent, containing reduced species such as thiosulphate or sulphite, by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide or a compound capable of releasing hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of a catalyst therefor. The invention is characterized in that the catalyst is immobilized on a substrate. The catalyst may be selected from chromate, vanadate and preferable molybdate or tungstate and the substrate may comprise an ion exchange material, especially an anion exchange material. The invention further provides a holding tank apparatus (10) or a conduit apparatus (20) for carrying out this method. The invention is particularly appropriate for use with fixer from redox-amplification processes.

Abstract: My invention provides an oxidizing solution and process for the in situ oxidation of contaminants, including hydrocarbon, organic, bacterial, phosphonic acid, and other contaminants, the contaminants being found in various surfaces and media, including soil, sludge, and water. In a preferred embodiment, the solution includes a peroxygen compound, such as hydrogen peroxide, in solution with a pre-mixed solution of a carboxylic acid and a halogen salt, such as glycolic acid and sodium bromide, respectively.

Abstract: The invention provides the continuous, integrated methods and devices for substantially removing ionized and ionizable carbon compounds from an aqueous stream by first deionization step to produce a first product stream, ionizing nonionized and nonionizable carbon compounds in such stream to form further ionized and ionizable compounds, and removing the latter by a second deionization step. The method can be performed for example in an apparatus including an EDI unit (10), an ionizing unit (60), and EDI unit (100).

Abstract: A microporous diffuser includes a first elongated member including at least one sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings. The sidewall defines an interior hollow portion of the member. The diffuser has a second elongated member having a second sidewall having a plurality of microscopic openings, the second member being disposed through the hollow region of the first member. The diffuser includes an end cap to seal a first end of the microporous diffuser and an inlet cap disposed at a second end of microporous diffuser for receiving inlet fittings.

Abstract: Contaminated liquids are treated by ozonation in a pressurized environment. Ozone is injected into a contaminated liquid to form a gas/liquid mixture. The mixture is injected into a mixing chamber for providing turbulent gas/liquid contact. The mixture is flowed from the mixing chamber into a pressurized reaction vessel. In an alternative embodiment, contaminated liquid is treated in situ using pressurized injection wells for injecting ozone-containing liquid.

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: An improved method for water treatment which comprises subjecting a water to be containing a hazardous material such as a dioxin or PCB to an ozone treatment contacting the water with fine bubbles of ozone having an average diameter of 0.5 to 3 microns; and a combination of the ozone treatment with one or more of a hydrogen peroxide treatment, a UV radiation treatment, an electrolysis treatment and a treatment with a carbonaceous filter material. The above ozone treatment or combination of treatments can be used for surer realization on of an intended effect of a water treatment, which is difficult to achieve by the use of a conventional method wherein ozone or hydrogen peroxide is simply mixed with a water to be treated. In particular, the combination of treatments leads to a more improved effect of water treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating groundwater or other water stream(s) contaminated with an oxygenate to degrade said oxygenate which comprises: a) inoculating a biodegrader capable of degrading said oxygenate on a packed activated carbon bed through a rigid tubular instrument having a plurality of holes in the part of the rigid tubular instrument used for inoculation of the carbon bed; and b) flowing said groundwater, or other water stream contaminated with said oxygenate through a structure having a top, bottom and sides and a predetermined volume containing said bed of activated carbon having said biodegrader inoculated thereon. and an apparatus for the same. The method is particularly effective for treating water contaminated with methyl t-butyl ether (MTBE) and/or t-butyl alcohol (TBA).

Abstract: A new and useful approach to cleaning raw water or other raw liquid is provided. A metered amount of stabilized hydrogen peroxide is added to the raw water or other liquid, to clean the raw water or other liquid. In one particularly useful embodiment of the present invention, a portable drinking device is designed so that a metered amount of stabilized hydrogen peroxide can be added to a portable container of liquid, to clean raw water or other liquid in the portable container. Thus, a hiker, military person, or other person who may have to depend on his/her environment for sustenance, and who may not have an available water source other than raw water, has a simple and efficient way of using virtually any available body of raw water as a source, and cleaning the raw water, to provide the person with a portable source of clean water.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of an aqueous media having contaminants therein, including adding hydrogen peroxide to the aqueous media, exposing the aqueous media to a catalytic environment, removing the aqueous media from the catalytic environment prior to the aqueous media having a five minute residence time within the catalytic environment, thereafter adding ozone to the aqueous media, and allowing the ozone and aqueous media to interact outside of the presence of the catalytic environment.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating an ore comprising mineral substrate particles surrounded by hydrocarbon compounds, especially tar sand grains and contaminated soils, to recover a hydrocarbon portion and a cleaned substrate portion. In a preferably continuous process, hydrocarbonaceous rock, sand, ore, or soil containing bitumen, petroleum, and/or kerogen may be crushed or otherwise comminuted as needed to provide a particle size of sand or smaller. The ore is mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry is heated to about 80° C. and is intensively sheared to condition the slurry for separation, preferably by shear-fracture of the hydrocarbon layers surrounding the particles in the grains. The conditioned slurry is blended with a peroxide in aqueous solution, preferably hydrogen peroxide, which enters the grains and is decomposed therein, creating bubbles of free oxygen within the grains which disrupt the hydrocarbon envelope.

Abstract: A system and method for treating water in an aqueous system includes measuring or characterizing one or more specific oxidizing species by utilizing species-specific or selective techniques. The selective techniques utilize an amperometric or potentiometric sensor having a selective membrane or analytical techniques to provide an indication of a concentration of one or more oxidizing species. The system and method also determines an overall characteristic of the water, which can be used to control addition of additional oxidizing species.

Abstract: A system for making use of rainwater falling on houses and buildings, which comprises a means for removing a predetermined quantity of initial precipitation from the rainwater collected form the roof surface of the building; and a purifier receiving the subsequent rainwater from which the initial precipitation has been removed. The purifier includes a filtering tank, a sterilization tank, and a supply tank connected to the sterilization tank. The filtering tank has a physical filter and a pH adjusting agent, the sterilization tank contains a primary reactive catalyst for producing active oxygen species, and the supply tank supplies aqueous hydrogen peroxide to the primary reactive catalyst. The system also has a storage tank that stores the purified rainwater supplied from the purifier. The storage tank contains a secondary reactive catalyst for decomposing and eliminating residual active oxygen species remaining in the purified rainwater supplied from the purifier.

Abstract: A device for treating liquid medium has an ultrasound emitter located relative to a compartment of a container holding a liquid medium and a microbubble emitter located relative to the compartment. The ultrasound emitter emits high-frequency ultrasound between about 200 KHz and 10 MHz. The microbubble emitter emits bubbles with an average diameter of less than 1 mm.

Abstract: A method of treating an electroless plating waste is provided. The waste is contained and an ability of a reducing agent to reduce a metal of the waste is decreased, for example by adding a stabilizing chemical or by exposing the waste to an anode to which a positive voltage is applied. Poisonous and explosive gases evolve from the waste, which are vented. Upon completion, the waste is drained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of an xanthophyll, and in particular to a process for the preparation of an xanthophyll through the oxidation of a carotenoid in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and an iodine-containing compound. In particular, the process of the invention applies to the oxidation of beta-carotene to produce canthaxanthin, and to the oxidation of lutein or zeaxanthin to produce astaxanthin.

Abstract: A method of treating a site containing contaminants and apparatus are described The method and apparatus sparges the site with an air/ozone gas stream delivered with a hydroperoxide, which is a substantial byproduct of a reaction of a contaminant present in the aquifer or soil formation with the ozone.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of water comprises: a) Adding to the water an oxidizing agent in a stunning concentration, wherein the detention time of said agent between adding it to water and the subsequent steps of filtration and/or irradiation is up to about 90 seconds; b) filtering the oxidized water by a filtration system having a filtering size larger than the average size of suspended organic matter in the water; and c) exposing the oxidized and filtered water to irradiation.