Abstract: Process for controlling, or reducing, the level of oxidized anions, usually oxidized sulfur compounds or oxidized nitrogen compounds, in a reaction medium, preferably in a closed loop recirculating system. The process comprises withdrawing a purge stream from the reaction medium and reducing the oxidized anions in a reduction furnance 44 having a char bed 48. The reduced compounds are recovered from the reduction furnace as smelt 50. Where the reduced compounds are useful in the reaction medium from which the purge stream was withdrawn, the reduced compounds are preferably returned to the reaction medium for further use therein.

Abstract: A process for recovering succinimide lubricating oil additives from filter cakes formed during filtration of the additives employing a siliceous filter aid. The filter cakes are mixed with an aqueous solution of a base acting material having a pH above about 10, the mixture is held at a temperature above about 150.degree. F. and settled to separate an upper succinimide containing phase which is recovered.

Abstract: In a slurry dewatering process, slurry is pumped into a porous tube at a sufficiently low velocity for laminar flow conditions to exist. The pressure is sufficiently high for liquid in the slurry to permeate outwardly through the tube wall and for solids in the slurry to be deposited in the form of an annular cake on the tube wall. The deposition of solids is controlled so that the cake thickness is substantially uniform throughout. When a predetermined thickness of cake has been deposited, the pressure inside the tube is decreased and the flow velocity is increased and the cake is dislodged from the tube wall in flake form and is conveyed downstream for collection on a screen or the like.

Abstract: A process for disposing of toxic organic waste fluids comprising contacting a polymeric carrier particle, such as ground tire rubber, with a toxic organic fluid that dissolves in the solid polymeric carrier. The waste fluid dissolved in the polymeric carrier forms a stable product for transportation and incineration.

Abstract: For the purpose of increasing the efficiency during drying of brown coals having a high water content and for the purpose of facilitating the purification of process waste water resulting in a drying process according to Fleissner it is proposed to spray hot water onto the raw coal and to separate the proportion in fine grain having a maximum grain size of 5 mm, preferably of 1 mm. In the following, the proportion in fine grain is subjected to an adsorption stage (5), noting that after a reaction time of at least 1 min, preferably of 2 to 5 min, a major portion of the soluble substances burdening the waste water becomes adsorbed on this fine grain. Subsequently, the waste water is further purified after a flocculating step in a flocculating reactor (6) and after a separating step (8) for separating solid matter, for which purpose can be used sand filters (10), adsorbing resins and activated carbon.

Abstract: A system and method for converting pulp and paper mill waste water into a decolored, neutral pH effluent and a solid suitable for use as fuel in a furnace. The treatment system is used following primary and secondary treatment of pulp and paper mill waste waters typically found in the industry. After secondary biological treatment, the waste waters are pumped to a coagulation tank where the waste water is brought in contact with a polyamine coagulant which coagulates lignins, degraded sugars, and other compounds which typically discolor this water. The coagulation particles are increased in size by addition of an acrylamide polymer in a flocculation tank to improve the hydrophilic characteristics of the coagulant. The waste water is then mixed a dissolved air and water solution under pressure. Upon dissolution of the dissolved air at atmospheric pressure the air is absorbed by the flocculated matter in the aeration tank and the flocculated matter is caused to migrate towards the area of less pressure, i.e.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter apparatus having a filter vessel into which liquid to be filtered is inlet near the bottom of the vessel. The liquid rises in the vessel and is forced through a filter screen running the height of the vessel. After flowing through the filter screen, the filtered liquid enters an annular enclosure outside the filter screen. The filtered liquid rises in the enclosure to the height of a discharge outlet near the top of the enclosure wall. This assures the even depositing of solids filtered from the liquid along the entire height of the filter screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating a suspension consisting of a hollow cylinder in which one or more tubes of a constant outward diameter extend in axial direction, in the wall of each tube at least one filter being mounted forming the only direct connection between the interior of the tube and the interior of the cylinder. Two or more of such apparatus can be connected in series in order to form a cascade.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treatment of oilfield wastes, so that the wastes may be disposed of without harm to the environment or may be recovered as valuable products, wherein the wastes are pretreated to enhance separation of solid materials, the solid materials being dried and incinerated to a char solids condition, the char solids and the heating gases being cooled by heat exchange to provide hot air for combustion in the dryer-incinerator, thereby saving heating fuel cost, the gases being scrubbed to remove contaminants, and the condensed water-hydrocarbon phases being separated for reuse or for further treatment for recovery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid filtering apparatus wherein solids suspended in the liquid are accummlated to form a cake on the filter media as the liquid passes through the media. Upon the buildup of such solids, pressurization upon the liquid forces remaining liquid through the media. Such pressurization is inactivated upon excessive cake buildup, and a conduit helically wound about the outside of the filter media is expanded by air pressure. The conduit is attached at various points about its length so that it forms chord lines between such connection points. Such expansion and chording of the conduit breaks the cake from the media.

Abstract: A sludge remover and processor includes a first vessel holding cleaning liquid and a second, phase separating vessel. Cleaning liquid from the first vessel is sprayed against a dirty surface. A vacuum pump keeps the second vessel upper region at a partial vacuum so cleaning liquid and dislodged matter from the dirty surface is sucked into the second vessel. Solids and liquid are pumped from the second vessel into a solids separator where the larger solids are removed for disposal and liquid is pumped into a centrifuge which removes fine solid particles. The fine particles are mixed with a bulk solidification medium for disposal. Oil collection in the vessels is enhanced by the partial vacuum which lowers the boiling point so tiny bubbles are formed to aid separation of the oily and non-oily phases. Passing the liquid through a centrifuge also aids separation of the oily and non-oily phases in the first vessel.

Abstract: Coal pulverized by a mill or crusher is used as a floating agent which is charged into a floating machine, together with wastewater, for example, from a wastewater treatment facility or homes which produce organic substances such as human wastes. The pulverized coal and wastewater are mixed and uniformly stirred by a stirrer in the form of an impeller or a cyclone separator while being aerated. The produced floating floc is discharged from an upper portion of a first floating machine, whereas sedimented materials are discharged from a lower portion of the first floating machine. The same process is repeated in other floating machines connected in series to the above-described first floating machine. The collected floating flocs are dewatered to produce solid cakes which are used as a fuel. The water which has been extracted to form the solid cake, is purified and discharged.

Abstract: A method of converting organic materials into useful products and disposable waste including the steps of shredding the organic material into particles, mixing the organic particles with water to obtain a pumpable slurry, raising the temperature and pressure of the slurry to about 300.degree. to 500.degree. C. and about 8000 to 12,000 psig in a reaction vessel to cause the slurry to hydropyrolyize, separating the products of hydropyrolysis to remove gases from the liquids and solids, separating the liquids and solids, treating the separated gases and liquids to extract hydrocarbon components therefrom and using the solids as fuel directly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for processing heavy-metal-containing residues from the chemical industry. For an economical and at the same time ecologically safe processing of the heavy-metal-containing residues, the heavy-metal-containing residues are introduced into a primary-gas reaction zone of a shaft gasifier containing at least one solid bed of carbon-containing material. Slag-forming substances are introduced together with the charge substances and/or together with the solid-bed formers to absorb and set the heavy metals. The lower zone of the solid bed is maintained at a temperature above the slag and ash melting temperatures. The viscosity of the slag is less than 100 poise.

Abstract: A method and system of continually reforming sewage and other organic materials into liquid oils and gases by pyrolysis using the contained and entrained water in the inorganic and organic constituents of the sewage.

Abstract: A system for rapidly dewatering sludge in large quantities makes use of a filter plate that is capable of supporting heavy mechanized removal equipment without damage to the filter plate. The filter plate is monolithic and includes granular filter material that is rigidified and bonded together. In the disclosed process, sludge is pretreated with a polymer coagulant that breaks up solids and flocculates the sludge particles. The flocculated sludge is then spread on a bed of filter plates. As the bed is being filled, the large coagulated sludge particles settle and water is drawn off by gravity. A vacuum is then applied to the bed and the sludge is rapidly dewatered. Upon completion of dewatering, front end loading equipment may be used to remove the dried sludge cake from the bed.

Abstract: A method and device for separating most of the waste material from sewage effluent, which incinerates a large portion of the waste to dispose of the waste in an environmentally safe manner. After separation, the aqueous by-product from the sewage effluent is substantially waste free, allowing easy disposition or further treatment. The apparatus includes a housing and a filter in the housing to which the sewage effluent is introduced. The solid waste materials are trapped in the filter with a substantially aqueous by-product discharged from the device. A switch senses entry of the sewage effluent, starting operation of a heating element and a microwave generator which operate to substantially incinerate the waste material into an ash particulate. The gaseous by-products of the incineration are vented to the atmosphere and the ash particulate is vacummed into a temporary storage container.

Abstract: A single apparatus including a mixing vessel and mixing means for achieving a slurry of material introduced within the vessel. A filter is mounted within the vessel in the region of the material being mixed so as to be contacted by the slurry created. The filter is mounted within the vessel in such manner as to efficiently filter, efficiently separate particles from liquid, without interfering or hindering the proper mix action. Mixing, reacting, washing, filtering, vacuum or purge drying, and particle sizing of powdered or granular materials stemming from the slurry, for the process industry, is achieved by reason of the incorporation of the filter within the mixing chamber of a positive-action mixer as described.

Abstract: There is described a process in which a contaminated soil is freed of its contaminants and the solvent used to free and wash the contaminated soil is collected and reused and/or it is combusted and removed from the system in a form which will not contaminate the ambient atmosphere. All portions of this equipment are substantially gas tight and liquid tight and therefore eliminate or markedly reduce any further contamination of the ambient atmosphere with the contaminants found in the soil.

Abstract: An aliphatic organic acid fraction is separated from the kraft black liquor by subjecting the liquor to ultrafiltration, treating the resulting permeate by electrodialysis, acidifying the resultant deionate to about pH 4-5, separating the lignin solids which precipitate following this acidification, raising the pH of the separated solution to about 7-8 and finally subjecting the neutralized solution to electrodialytic water-splitting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating sludges that have resulted from chemical treatment of sulfuric acid wastes with lime are shown. The sludges are subjected to fluidization, dilution, and acidification to solubilize solids, clarification to concentrate solids for reacidification and produce a supernatant for carbon adsorption to remove organics and color, with regeneration of spent carbon including incineration of solids, and finally incineration of the spent carbon and all other remaining unsolubilized solids.

Abstract: Waste-containing (contaminated) waters are treated for reuse and disposal with acceptable environmental improvements by adding a sulfate salt of aluminum and/or iron alkalized to form a waste-cohering hydroxide floc in one or more treatment plants, recovering the flocs and wastes by contacting with sulfur oxides to redissolve the aluminum and/or iron for reuse, in which case low cost sulfur containing fuels are utilized to provide heat and sulfur for recovering over one-half of the sulfur dioxide for reuse and reducing the lime required to neutralize the acidity.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for the discontinuous separation of a solid consisting predominantly of carbon black from its aqueous suspension by filtration. To this end, the disclosure provides for use to be made of a tube pressure filter which is operated under a final pressure of 30 to 100 bars.

Abstract: This invention provides a non-fibrous combustible filter aid for vacuum pre-coat filter units which is effective to maintain a filter bed coating on rotary filter drums just sufficiently porous to pass the liquid of a slurry while retaining the slurry solids thereon and is capable of being scraped off the bed in thin film form with the slurry solids thereon. The filter aid comprises relatively non-compressible non-fibrous granular charcoal or nut shell particles having a dry bulk density from about 0.3 to about 0.6 grams per cubic centimeter, a particle density of about 1.4 to 1.7 grams per cubic centimeter and a particle size range of 30 to 125 microns. The filter aid of this invention is capable of being burned with the solids deposited thereon to recover the heat value thereof or to dispose of the solids, is free from silicates or other non-combustible ingredients, and is devoid of fibers which will interfere with the proper operation of the filter unit.

Abstract: A continuous process of removing silica from spent pulping liquors (black liquors) which have been obtained by the alkaline digestion of annual plants. The spent liquor is preconcentrated and contacted with a CO.sub.2 -containing gas. The CO.sub.2 -containing gas is supplied at a rate of 30 to 40 m.sup.3 s.t.p. per m.sup.3 of spent liquor. The precipitated silica is removed from the treated liquor. The silica-containing precipitate which has been separated is diluted and washed with water and causticized by an addition of lime or milk of lime. Solid and liquid phases are separated from each other and the resulting residue is combusted.

Abstract: An expendable pillow in the form of a container having at least one pocket partially filled with a granular absorbent material is disclosed. The container is a fabric of high permeability coated with a surfactant. The granular material is highly absorbent and expandable upon contact with liquids. The pillow is light weight, has an absorption capacity in excess of 500%, and will float on liquids.

Abstract: A method of producing soil conditioners from waste material, and of utilizing the internal energy thereof, while reducing the volume of the waste material at the same time, is disclosed in which initially compacts of a refuse-sludge mixture are subjected to intense rotting whereby the water content thereof is reduced from an initial value of about 50 to 60 percent to about 30 percent, preferably 20 percent, and whereby the compacts become dried and storable. The dried and storable compacts are ground or screened, or both, with the screened out fine fraction being directly usable as a soil conditioner, and then the ground or screened, or both, compacts are thermally treated by one of low temperature carbonization and combustion.

Abstract: A process for dewatering sewage sludges, the dewatering characteristics of which have been improved by adding an organic flocculant, on a chamber filter press, wherein the greater part of the water in the flocculated sludges is removed by gravity filtration in a process step upstream of the chamber filter press, without application of a pressure difference, and the actual pressure filtration, on the chamber filter press, is only then carried out.In principle, commercial products can be used as the organic flocculant. These are water-soluble, macromolecular compounds which have been obtained by polymerization or copolymerization of acrylamide, acrylic cid and/or their salts, or of esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with specifically modified alcohol components.

Abstract: A sludge condensation and dewatering apparatus is described which comprises a condensation unit and a dewatering unit. The condensation unit comprises a flocculating reaction tank (1) for forming a sludge flock, a first holding tank (2) slantingly arranged and upwardly inclined along the moving direction of the sludge, a conveyor for conveying the sludge flock from the flocculation tank to the holding tank for retaining the sludge flock produced by the flocculation reaction tank and an endless running screen belt (3) located just below and adjacent to the first holding tank, a dewatering unit, a solidification device (13) in communication with the first holding tank located between the condensation unit and the dewatering unit. The dewatering unit comprises an upper running piled filter cloth (4) and a lower running piled filter cloth (5), a plurality of rolls (R.sub.1 -R.sub.

Abstract: A liquid cleaning system for liquid that is substantially continuously circulated and which becomes contaminated with solid particulate and debris during circulation. The liquid cleaning system, which is particularly advantageous to cleaning liquid that is circulated within a petroleum well bore during completion and workover activities, incorporates a vibratory screen separator for accomplishing preliminary separation of large particulate and debris from the contaminated liquid and which also incorporates a filtration bank having a plurality of filters that are each interconnected with inlet discharge and drain headers. Filter bank incorporates a valving system having the capability of accomplishing backflushing by circulating clean fluid in reverse manner through selected ones of the filters to remove collected solid particulate therefrom and transport the removed particulate to the drain header.

Abstract: An apparatus arrangement and method of operation for treatment of the residue from a coal liquifaction and hydrogenation reactor, which residue contains 5% to 10% solids and is at elevated temperature (f.i. above 700.degree. F.) and pressure of 150-200 psi. Said apparatus comprising a continuous pressure precoat filter sealed against pressure loss, a sealed repulper associated with said pressure filter for repulping filter cake in relatively cooler solvent while maintaining the pressure thereon at about 150-200 lbs/in..sup.2 to yield a slurry, then utilizing the pressure to force the slurry into and through a second pressure filter wherein to effect liquid solids separation; and separately discharging the filtrate and cake from the second filter.

Abstract: Improved clarity in treated wastewater is achieved by adding a flocculating agent following screening by fine mesh screening means, preferably a centrifugal screen separator. The effectiveness of the separator is improved, in turn, by preceding it in the direction of liquid flow by a corrugated plate interceptor to remove greases and oils. Preferably, fine mesh screening is carried out by two separate screening devices, one being a high liquid volume centrifugal screen strainer, and the other being a mechanically self-cleaned low liquid volume device. Wastewater is delivered to a thickener, preferably a corrugated plate separator, the thickened product being delivered to the low liquid volume device, and the supernatant being delivered to the centrifugal screen strainer. The corrugated plate interceptor not only acts as a thickener, but also eliminates grease and oil, which would interfere with the operation of the centrifugal screen strainer.

Abstract: A method for recovering and recycling animal waste materials permits the separation of the solids with a desired moisture content from the remaining liquids and finer solid particles and wherein the liquids and finer solid particles are converted into a high quality single cell protein by means of aerobic digestion so as to maximize the value and percentage of total solids reclaimed as well as to maintain excellent sanitation and minimize odors from anaerobic decomposition.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of aqueous materials such as clarified sludge. Disposal of such materials in large quantities is difficult and expensive. The present invention is directed to a treatment method that is economical and results in products which are at least as useful as the starting material. According to the invention, a treatment method comprises mechanical dewatering followed by drying in a fluidized bed drier and burning in a fluidized bed boiler. The heat generated in the boiler is at least sufficient to fulfill the requirements of the drier. The heat generated in the boiler is normally used directly in the drier.

Abstract: The process disclosed includes treating settled sludge and/or organic debris recovered from a wastewater treatment system and thermally converting the treated material and/or comminuted organic solid wastes separately or in combination into steam, combustible gas, residual tars and oils and other energy by-products which are recycled as heat for increasing the thermodynamic efficiency of the process. In one embodiment of the invention the process includes cleaning the combustible gas which is provided during the thermal conversion, with the clean gas driving a heat engine such as a gas engine or gas turbine generator or the like. In another embodiment of the invention the gas drives the heat engine without the above described benefit of the aforenoted cleaning.

Abstract: The process disclosed includes treating settled sludge and/or organic debris recovered from a wastewater treatment system and thermally converting the treated material and/or comminuted organic solid wastes separately or in combination into steam combustible gas, residual tars and oils and other energy by-products which are recycled as heat for increasing the thermodynamic efficiency of the process. The process further includes cleaning the combustible gas which is provided during the thermal conversion so that the gas is suitable for driving gas engine or gas turbine generators and the like.

Abstract: A method of filtering a coal-derived liquid comprising; mixing the coal liquid with a filter aid material comprising metallic particles; filtering the thus-obtained mixture; subjecting the resulting filter cake material to partial combustion; and separating the metallic particles from the filter cake for reuse as filter aid.

Abstract: The filter cake resulting from the filtration of tar, pitch, coal extract or coal oil with the help of a filter aid, is dried by blowing an inert gas through it. Thereafter it is comminuted to a particle size of about 0.5 mm and these particles are heated in a fluidized bed at the rate of 1000.degree. C./min to a temperature of 500.degree.-1200.degree. C. There is obtained a size mix of swelled particles from which a fraction having a size of about 0.05-0.3 mm is segregated and recirculated to the filter as a filter aid. Particles having a size above or below the segregated fraction are thermally decomposed, as are gaseous and liquid products which are liberted during the thermal treatment in the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A method for the lime stabilization of wastewater sludge, includes the steps of dewatering sludge so as to produce a sludge cake containing from about 10 to 60% by weight of dry solids and rapidly and intimately mixing and reacting the sludge cake with calcium oxide so as to produce stabilized sludge pellets. An apparatus for performing the process is also provided.

Abstract: An alluvial filter candle apparatus has a plurality of filtering elements each of which has a return casing surrounding a riser lower end provided with a filtrate inlet opening and preventing backflow of the filtrate through the filter cake. The volume of the return casing corresponds to that of the riser. The risers are formed as mounting rods which mount candle-like filtering bodies of the filtering elements to a partition subdividing a filter housing into a filtrate chamber and a filtrant chamber. The partition sealingly abuts against and is movable relative to the filter casing. An arrangement is provided for forcedly displacing the partition together with the filtering element so as to separate the filter cake from the latter. A method of cleaning the filtering apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Process is provided for the creation of crystal aggregates in one part of a tank by heat transfer from a fluid disposed in another part of the tank and maintained by heating or by cooling at a different temperature than the part containing the crystal aggregates. Both of these parts are separated from each other by a flexible membrane which is pulsated by dynamic local pressure differentials caused by foaming or by fluidizing the heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the disposal of bauxite processing wastes comprising the steps of:(a) filtering the bauxite muds in suspension coming from the washing decanter,(b) continuously washing the dehydrated filtration cake on the filter with hot water with recycling of the liquid phase containing the greater part of the soda into the basic chemical process of the bauxite treating plant.

Abstract: The method of treating sewer scum including combustibles and debris includes the steps of collecting the scum from sewage, delivering it to a perforated filter drum, continuously rotating the drum upon an inclined longitudinal axis, applying heated air under pressure to the exterior of the drum along its length inwardly of the perforations, discharging the debris continuously and collecting the filtered combustibles. Apparatus for filtering said scum includes an elongated cylindrical perforated drum rotatable on an inclined axis receiving scum at its upper end and discharging debris at its lower end. A cylindrical shell sealingly encloses the perforated portion of the drum for providing a pressure chamber above the drum and a collection chamber below the drum. An elongated air channel along the interior of the shell delivers high pressure heated air to said pressure chamber and filtered scum accumulates in the collection chamber.

Abstract: A method for clarifying coke quenching water or other waters which are contaminated by solids, with a wide grain spectrum, in an operation in which the fine portions of the solids suspended and carried along with the water are removed from the water by filtration and the clarified water is returned in a cycle, comprising, depositing the water into a filter shaft so that the substances removed from the contaminated water build up in the shaft and themselves form a filter bed, continuing to pass the water through the filter bed from the top to the bottom in a manner so that the velocity of flow of the water in the filter bed decreases constantly and so as to preclarify the water which passes through the bed and subsequently refiltering the preclarified water in a trough basin which rises from the bottom to the top. Thereafter, the refiltered water is directed into a discharge channel from the trough basin which overflows above the basin.