Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for operating a centrifuge which has a drive shaft used for loading, a drum which is connected to the drive shaft and has a drum casing and a drum base, a filter with a working region situated within the filter, an annular space formed between the filter and the drum casing, at least one drum base opening which is formed in the drum base and opens out into the annular space, and at least one swirl nozzle which is arranged in such a manner that it injects a fluid through the at least one drum base opening into the annular space.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that relates to the recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic. More particularly, the process involves recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream through the use of a pressure filter, the combining of water with a mother liquor to recover the metal catalyst and then subjecting an aqueous mixture so formed to a single stage extraction with an extraction solvent to produce an extract stream comprising organic impurities and a raffinate stream comprising the metal catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating sludge, comprises a press for dewatering the sludge, a compaction device for receiving and compacting sludge dewatered by the press, a shredder for receiving and shredding sludge compacted by the compaction device, and a tube conveyor for conveying shredded sludge from the shredder. The press is controlled to vary the flow rate of the sludge in response to at least one sensed operational parameter of the press, such as the momentary power for operating the press, pressure in the sludge in the press, sludge concentration in the press, sludge feed flow to the press or separated water flow from the press.

Abstract: A process for the separation of oil from invert mud drill cuttings. Invert mud drill cuttings are supplied to a mixing chamber of a jet pump. The invert mud drill cuttings are agitated within the jet pump to effect transformation of the solids-oil matrix of the invert mud drill cuttings. Oil is then separeated from the transformed solids-oil matrix in a separator.

Abstract: An aerated biological filtration system (10) for treating waste water includes a treatment vessel (11) of elongated configuration which incorporates a circulating filter bed (23) and a static filter bed (24). The circulating filter bed incorporate a particulate material such as granulated activated carbon having a specific gravity in the range of 1.2 to 1.4 and effective size of 0.6 mm to 1.5 mm. The circulating filter bed is disposed above the static filter bed and an aeration system (27) is disposed between the filter beds. The aeration system is arranged to diffuse air through the circulating bed either continuously or intermittently so as to provide oxygen to micro-organisms attaching to the particulate material and to cause slow circulation of that particulate material. The system has particular application for domestic recycling of grey water.

Abstract: A rinsing system for rinsing fibrous material providing a separator with counter current flow of the fibrous material with respect to a rinsing fluid in a second separator. The system provides for a first separator which in one form removes water from the fibrous material to increase the dilution factor whereby the fibrous material in the second separator passes therethrough and in one form passes through a dewatering mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating lime mud slurry being generated in a causticizing process in a pulp mill in a disc filter, in which method the lime mud is fed in the filter, thickened on the filter discs and removed from the filter discs. The lime mud is treated in at least two stages in one and the same disc filter in such a way that the lime mud slurry entering the filter is fed onto only a part of the filter discs, on which lime mud is thickened and removed from the discs, and the removed lime mud is re-slurried in liquid, and the lime mud slurry thus obtained is fed onto a second part of the filter discs, on which lime mud is thickened and removed from the filter and led into a subsequent process stage. The invention also relates to an apparatus.

Abstract: A method to process grease trap waste or refuse and remove organic matter, and reclaim fats, oils, and grease (FOG) found in it. The process is initiated after dewatering the grease trap material to increase its concentration; the resulting sludge is then mixed with a solvent. The dissolved fractions of fats, oils, and grease are separated using mechanical methods. The solids are washed to further remove any traces of fats, oils, and grease. The solids, substantially free from organic content, are dried to remove any water and/or organic matter remaining, rendering inert solids that can be safely disposed of according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. All fats, oils, and, grease fractions are separated, containing no inert materials, and no water. The solvent is recuperated (recycled), allowing it to be used over again. The recuperated grease fractions, highly pure and homogeneous, constitute an excellent raw material for further oleo-chemical processes and applications.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating sludge, comprises a press for dewatering the sludge, a compaction device for receiving and compacting sludge dewatered by the press, a shredder for receiving and shredding sludge compacted by the compaction device, and a tube conveyor for conveying shredded sludge from the shredder. The press is controlled to vary the flow rate of the sludge in response to at least one sensed operational parameter of the press, such as the momentary power for operating the press, pressure in the sludge in the press, sludge concentration in the press, sludge feed flow to the press or separated water flow from the press.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that relates to the removal of impurities and the recovery of a mother liquor and wash filtrate from an oxidizer purge stream produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic. More particularly, the process involves the removal of impurities and the recovery of a mother liquor and wash filtrate from an oxidizer purge stream and then routing the mother liquor and or wash filtrate to an oxidation zone.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that relates to the recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic. More particularly, the process involves recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream through the use of a pressure filter, the combining of water with a mother liquor to recover the metal catalyst and then subjecting an aqueous mixture so formed to a single stage extraction with an extraction solvent to produce an extract stream comprising organic impurities and a raffinate stream comprising the metal catalyst.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that relates to the removal of impurities and the recovery of a mother liquor and wash filtrate from an oxidizer purge stream produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic. More particularly, the process involves the removal of impurities and the recovery of a mother liquor and wash filtrate from an oxidizer purge stream and then routing the mother liquor and or wash filtrate to an oxidation zone.

Abstract: A treatment assembly removes and cleans solids located in a stream of liquid. A screen filter has a lower portion located in a channel to remove the solids from the liquid flowing through the channel. Once removed, the screen filter deposits the solids into an agitator assembly. Wash water is fed continuously into the agitator assembly, and the agitator within creates turbulence to clean the solids. The wash water and solids are continuously removed from the agitator assembly for further processing.

Abstract: A method of separating, recovering and reusing components of an exhausted slurry used in slicing silicon wafers from a silicon ingot. In the method, the solid particles and lubricating fluid of the exhausted slurry are separated without decreasing the viscosity of the exhausted slurry. The separated lubricating fluid may be collected and reused in the preparation of a fresh slurry. Additionally, the silicon particulate and metal slicing wire particulate are dissolved and separated from the abrasive grains. The abrasive grains are separated into spent abrasive grains and unspent abrasive grains. The separated unspent abrasive grains are suitable for reuse in the preparation of a fresh slurry.

Abstract: A process for the continuous treatment of sugar cane filter cane mud separates and extracts components including fiber which can be used as an animal feed or a source of energy generation, lignin, beta-carotene, oil containing a high content of phytosterol, refined wax which is a resource of policosanol and which can also be used for many other established purposes, and resin which can be used an additive in asphalt mixtures and tire manufacturing or can be recycled back into the sugar milling process. The process is self contained, requiring the input only of fresh water and chemical additives to adjust pH and coloration.

Abstract: Processes for removing oil from a solid wellbore material such as drill cuttings or water such as produced by a subterranean formation include contacting the solid material/water with an amino-substituted polymer such as chitosan and a halogenating agent. The oil separates from the solid material and becomes bound within a flocculated solid. The flocculated solid containing the oil subsequently may be combined with a solvent of the amino-substituted polymer. Further, the flocculated solid may be contacted with a reducing agent, converting the flocculated solid back into the amino-substitute polymer and forming an oil-phase separate from the solvent-phase. The oil-phase may then be separated from the solvent phase and recovered. The solvent in which the amino-substituted polymer is dissolved may be recycled for treating more solid material removed from the well bore.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for dewatering sewage sludge by using sludge-coal-oil co-agglomeration (“SOCA”) which comprises the steps of physically, chemically or biologically conditioning sludge to impart hydrophobicity and lipophilicity to the sludge (conditioning step), supplying oil and coal to the conditioned sludge with stirring to form sludge-coal-oil agglomerates (agglomerating step), enlarging the particle diameter of sludge-coal-oil agglomerates (size enlargement step), and remaining the enlarged sludge-coal-oil agglomerates over a sieve to selectively separate them from hydrophilic materials dispersed in tailing water(screening step). According to the method, since sludge can be rapidly, easily and effectively dewatered and purified when compared to conventional sludge treatment methods. In addition, there is no risk of involving malodor and air pollution. Furthermore, the dewatered sludge can be utilized as a high-quality fuel.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for treating a waste water waste-product mixture from a toilet by coupling the toilet to a waste product mixture to a waste product holding tank, connecting the tank with a vacuum container having a stirring member for breaking up the waste product and a heating system for drying the waste product to an ash, introducing water from a water holding tank that communicates with the toilet to the ash to form a gel, separating the water from the gel, returning the water to the water holding tank, and discharging the gel residue.

Abstract: A method for washing a fibre suspension with washing liquid, in which, in accordance with the invention, the fibre suspension is introduced into an annular treatment channel (24) that has an inlet end (72) and an outlet end (73) and is concentric with an axis of rotation (5) to form an inner annular layer (74), washing liquid simultaneously being introduced into the treatment channel form an outer layer (75), which surrounds the inner annular layer. The fibre suspension and washing liquid are caused to rotate in the treatment channel whilst moving from said inlet end to said outlet end, fibres in the fibre suspension being caused to move into the outer layer of washing liquid, under the influence of the centripetal force, so that an accept (29), the liquid phase of which completely or mostly consists of washing liquid, is discharged at the outlet end of the treatment channel.

Abstract: The application relates to a process for producing high-purity bis(4-hydroxyaryl)alkanes from adducts of bis(4-hydroxyaryl)alkanes and aromatic hydroxy compounds, which are obtained by acid-catalysed reaction of the aromatic hydroxy compounds with ketones.

Abstract: A device for selectively filtering liquid samples in compartments comprising inlet and outlet openings of a carrier body under reduced pressure and vacuum drying of the sample liquid in the area of the outlet openings of the compartments. The device comprises a vacuum pump for producing two levels of subpressure, a suction conduit, and a chamber comprising an interior space limited walls by a top wall having an opening with an edge, a bottom wall, and lateral walls connecting the top and bottom walls. A lid or the carrier body with outlet openings directed towards the interior space of the chamber can be placed in a substantially gastight manner on the opening with an edge. One of the lateral walls is formed as an access wall which is opened and substantially gastightly sealed or introducing the carrier body into the interior space of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for recovering and recycling expensive and hazardous components from capacitors containing an electrolyte salt dissolved in an aprotic organic solvent. The method includes disintegrating a plurality of capacitor casings and their contents into fragments and forming an aqueous slurry of water insoluble fragments, filtering fractionally distilling the filtrate to remove the solvent as a distillate and recovering the electrolyte salt.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solids from a suspension includes a hollow cylindrical column having a central axis therethrough. The column has an interior with a cross-section, perpendicular to said axis, that is constant along said axis, and that extends from a first end to a second end of the column; one central tube axially disposed in said column and extending from said one end toward said opposite end, said central tube having an outer wall of constant diameter, said cylindrical column and said central tube defining an annular zone between them, extending axially from said first end of the column to at least near said second end of the column; at least one filter in said outer wall of the said central tube, forming the only direct communication between the said annular zone and the interior of the tube and at least one filter in the outer wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of material separation, in which a material, which comprises at least a first material component and a second material component, is introduced, together with a washing fluid, into a container with at least one sedimentation chamber and is subjected to a gravitational field, under influence of the gravitational field in the sedimentation chamber, the first material component is enriched in a sedimentation zone, which is bounded by a base, and the material with the enriched first material component is evacuated from the sedimentation zone via an opening in the base, the material with the enriched first material component being evacuated as a sediment film through the opening in the base, washing fluid flowing transversely onto the sediment film and the washing fluid flowing through the sediment film and, in the process, an at least partial displacement of the remaining second material component taking place from the sediment film.

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 present invention provides a process and an additive package for removing oil from solid material recovered from a well bore, e.g., drill cuttings and produced sand. In this process, the solid material is passed from the well bore to a separation zone. An aqueous acidic solution containing a polymer substituted with an amino group is introduced to the separation zone containing the solid material along with a halogenating agent and optionally one or more surfactants. The polymer, halogenating agent, and optional surfactant constitute the additive package. The polymer substituted with an amino group is preferably chitosan, and the halogenating agent is preferably a sodium hypochlorite solution. The mixture formed in the separation zone is agitated to cause a product of a reaction between the polymer and the halogenating agent to contact the solid material and remove residual oil therefrom.

Abstract: A precoat renewal system for a filter, such as a disc filter. The renewal system includes a plurality of nozzles coupled to spray piping and valving with each nozzle being positioned for spraying an area of one side of a disc. The nozzles and at least a portion of the spray piping is movable such that the nozzles may be displaced relative to the discs. The nozzles and piping are arranged in groups or zones with each zone covering a specified percentage of the discs in the filter and each zone representing about 40% or less of the surface area of the filter media of the discs in the filter. The system may be configured such that high pressure fluid may be supplied to that particular zone for removal of a precoat layer on the disc while other zones may be concurrently washed with a lower pressure fluid.

Abstract: A process is disclosed that relates to the recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream produced in the synthesis of carboxylic acid, typically terephthalic. More particularly, the process involves recovery of a metal catalyst from an oxidizer purge stream through the use of a pressure filter, the combining of water with a mother liquor to recover the metal catalyst and then subjecting an aqueous mixture so formed to a single stage extraction with an extraction solvent to produce an extract stream comprising organic impurities and a raffinate stream comprising the metal catalyst.

Abstract: A batch process for carrying out a hydrogenation reaction comprises mixing a pyrophoric catalyst with reactants and solvents to form a reaction mixture in a reaction vessel. Hydrogen is added to the reaction vessel. After hydrogenation, the desired hydrogenation product is removed from the reaction vessel and the pyrophoric catalyst-rich material from the reaction vessel is delivered to a pressure filter. Water is added to the pyrophoric catalyst-rich material in the filter and the spent pyrophoric material is removed from the pressure filter in a water wet form.

Abstract: A large percentage of solids are removed from a manure slurry when the slurry is run across a sloped screen separator. The sloped screen on the separator has very small openings. In addition, the separator has a water line with spray heads formed across the sloped screen. The spray heads direct water under pressure onto the sloped screen. Further, the separator controls the air flow through the sloped screen.

Abstract: A process for producing an inorganic porous material, comprising the steps of preparing an aqueous medium solution containing water-glass as a silica source, a water-soluble polymer and an acid, causing phase separation and gelation in the solution at the same time to form a wet gel, and washing and drying the gel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for washing and dewatering starch suspensions in a single step using a vacuum filter. It also relates to a rotary vacuum drum filter having means for feeding a suspension, sprayers for applying washing liquids and a scraper.

Abstract: A method to remove scale build-up in a vessel having at least one screen is described and involves placing a cover inside the vessel such that it is located beneath at least one screen to separate the screen from the rest of the vessel. The cover in the vessel forms an upper portion and a lower portion in the vessel. Preferably, the cover is in close proximity to the screen which is located in the upper portion of the vessel. The method then further includes introducing a chemical formulation into the upper portion of the vessel in a sufficient amount to remove at least a portion of the scale build-up on the screen. A system to remove scale build-up is also described and includes a vessel having at least one screen. The system further includes a cover located inside the vessel and beneath at least one screen to separate the screen from the rest of the vessel and to form an upper portion and a lower portion in the vessel. Normally the cover is in close proximity to the screen.

Abstract: Process for treating filtration panels obtained by the filtration of oils containing sulfonates of earth-alkaline metal, the above filtration being carried out in the presence of filter aids essentially consisting of siliceous material, which comprises: (a) dilution of the filtration panel with a C4-C8 aliphatic hydrocarbon, preferably hexane, and addition of another filter aid, thus obtaining a suspension of the panel and of the filter aid in the aliphatic hydrocarbon; (b) filtration of the suspension of step (a), thus obtaining a solid essentially consisting of filter aid with a minimum content of sulfonate and a turbid C4-C8 hydrocarbon solution (i); (c) centrifugation of the turbid hydrocarbon solution (i), thus obtaining a solid and a purified hydrocarbon solution (ii); (d) treatment of the purified hydrocarbon solution (ii) with means suitable for eliminating the C4-C8 hydrocarbons, thus recovering the sulfonate of earth-alkaline metal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a flocculation-decantation method by ballasted flocs using a granular material and a step which consists in treating the sludge derived from flocculation-decantation in a circular grit trap wherein the auxiliary liquids tangentially injected into the sludge substantially in the same direction as the latter. The invention also concerns a circular grit trap with a cylindrical part of diameter D tangentially supplied with the suspension to be treated and a conical part and provided with a cylindrical chamber injecting wash-water provided at the conical part outlet and having a diameter D′ ranging between 0.35 D and 0.65 D, said cylindrical chamber having at least a tangential supply of auxiliary liquid along the same feeding direction as said tangential supply of the suspension to be treated.

Abstract: Chloride is selectively isolated as NaCl from N-phosphonomethyliminodiacetic acid process wastes by evaporative crystallization of the caustic neutralized brine.

Abstract: Oil drill cuttings, containing an oil-based mud, may be treated by mixing the cuttings with an organic solvent. The oil drill cuttings are then separated from the organic solvent and extracted oil. The organic solvent is then separated from the oil, and mixed with the extracted oil drill cuttings to extract additional oil therefrom. The oil drill cuttings are again separated from the organic solvent and oil, the oil separated from the solvent, and recombined with the oil from the first extraction step. The oil base and other mud components are recycled, depending on the treatment procedure, for subsequent use in drilling.

Abstract: A process for separating oily films from sand particles carried in a solvent free water stream includes the use of a jet pump scrubber in a density classification tank to treat such oily coated particles at controlled operating temperatures above 65° C. whereby, at such controlled temperature, enhanced cavitation in the jet pump separates the oily film from the sand particles to form slop oil, the tank providing for recirculation of the particles through the jet pump before discharge.

Abstract: A method of dewatering fine particulate materials is disclosed. In this method, an aqueous slurry of fine particles is treated with appropriate hydrophobizing reagents so that the particulate material becomes moderately hydrophobic. A lipid of vegetable or animal origin is then added to the slurry in solutions of light hydrocarbon oils and short-chain alcohols, so that the hydrophobic lipid molecules adsorb on the moderately hydrophobic surface and, thereby, greatly enhance its hydrophobicity. By virtue of the enhanced hydrophobicty, the water molecules adhering to the surface are destabilized and more readily removed during the process of mechanical dewatering. The moisture reduction can be further improved using appropriate electrolytes in conjunction with the lipids, spraying surface tension lowering reagents onto the filter cake, subjecting the cake to a suitable vibratory means, and using combinations thereof.

Abstract: Method, container set, cassette and apparatus for the treatment of blood and blood products. A container set is arranged in a cassette that is inserted in a treatment apparatus. The process involves mixture with an agent, followed by irradiation and incubation, whereby the liquid is moved between containers through application of program controlled pressure pads and valves.

Abstract: A pressure-filter apparatus includes at least one filtration chamber coupled with a source of slurry. The filtration chamber is also coupled with a source of fluid at an elevated pressure, which may be arranged in series or in parallel with a source of wash fluid. The pressure-filter apparatus may also include a source of fluid at a conventional pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for cleaning and reclamation of an industrial waste containing oily metallic solids by magnetically concentrating the oily magnetic solids, mixing the concentrated solids with a chemical release agent, applying microwave radiation to the mixture, and separately collecting the clean metallic solids and recovered oil components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the techniques of treating a liquid material to be treated, which enables efficient fractional removal of toxic materials such as PCB in a liquid mixture. The treatment method of the invention comprises the step of permitting a liquid material containing materials having different solidifying points to be cooled at a temperature at which desired material(s) is solidified while others are not solidified and the step of separating the solidified material from other liquid materials whereby the desired material is separated, and therefore large facilities are not necessary and toxic materials can be reliably separated and removed.

Abstract: A process for recovering crystals from a slurry which comprises supplying a slurry comprising crystals and a solvent to a rotary vacuum filter and successively conducting filtration under suction, washing, filtration under suction and cleavage of a cake continuously by rotation of a cylindrical filter medium, wherein a vapor having a same composition as that of the solvent is supplied as a blowing gas for cleaving the cake. The crystals can be continuously recovered for a long period of time without clogging of a filter medium when the crystals are recovered from a slurry by using a rotary vacuum filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing trimethylolpropane with simultaneous formation of formate salts of the formula

Abstract: The aim of this invention is to resolve problems in sludge treatment methods, and to render sludge containing harmful substances produced in large amounts in chromium plating works harmless with reproducibility by effective use of certain substances. The invention resolves these problems by separating metal ions such as iron, copper, zinc and chromium contained in chromium plating effluent or a mixed solution of chromium plating solution, chromium plating effluent and chromic acid wash water in an impurity recovery electrolysis tank A in the form of a sludge, extracting the sludge, washing the sludge with water, separating the wash water containing chromic acid, drying the sludge which sedimented in the water washing step by natural or assisted drying, adding a natural organic substance to the sludge and reduction calcinating the sludge.

Abstract: A device and method for producing refined adipose tissue for use in autologous adipose transplantation or research wherein a sterile environment is maintained. More particularly, a system for refining tissue comprising a first flexible container, a second flexible container having a plurality of pores providing for fluid communication between the interior of the first flexible container and the interior of the first enveloping flexible container, a first port that provides communication between the exterior environment and the interior of the first flexible container and thereby provides a means for introducing fluids into the interior of the first flexible container and allowing waste effluent to exit the first container, a second flexible container, a second port for inserting tissue into the second container and expressing refined tissue out of the container, and a means for controlling the opening and closing of the first and second ports.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purification and/or treatment of suspensions, which include at least one or more precious metals and/or rare earths or other elements in the form of a precipitate or solid and/or also in dissolved form, which includes the following steps:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating alkaline waste water originating from washing spent oil which has undergone an alkaline treatment with water and which contains organic material. This method can produce water which can be discharged into conventional industrial water treatment facilities or which can be used directly as a base for preparing fertilizers or for preparing an agent for preventing ice formation on road surfaces.

Abstract: A system dynamically adjusts the delivery rate of a cryopreservation solution to red blood cells to permit freezing. The delivery rate is preferably determined according to an equation that maintains a linear change of red blood cell osmolarity over time so as to prevent osmolarity shock of the red blood cells. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes a controller that is preconfigured to automatically deliver the cryopreservation solution to the red blood cells in accordance with the equation. The system may also support the recovery of thawed red blood cells by diluting the red blood cells and washing them of the cryopreservative. Again, the system preferably adjusts the delivery rate of a dilution solution so as to prevent osmolarity shock of the red blood cells during the recovery phase. The recovered red blood cells may be suspended in a preservation solution to further increase their shelf-life following the recovery phase.