Abstract: A fiber mat is formed on a screen cylinder of a pressurized fiber filtering device used to filter particles from a liquid stream. The fiber mat is a fine particle filter to remove small particles from the liquid stream. The fiber mat is formed by injecting cellulosic fibers into the liquid stream flowing into the fiber filtering device. These fibers collect on the screen cylinder as the liquid flows through the cylinder. The collection of fibers forms the fine filtering mat.

Abstract: The invention relates to new regenerable filtration adjuvants which are usable for the filtration of liquids, particularly beer at the end of the secondary fermentation storage, characterized in that they comprise synthetic or natural incompressible polymer grains or natural incompressible grains grains having a sphericity coefficient varying between approximately 0.6 and 0.9. The invention also relates to a method for regenerating a filtration adjuvant.

Abstract: Heated iron oxide particles are combined with membrane filtration to remove contaminants from water. The use of the heated particles reduces fouling of the membrane typically encountered when membranes alone are used to remove contaminants from water. The heated particles of iron oxide are regenerable and can be reconditioned to revive their adsorption capacity. The heated particles can be added to the stream of contaminant containing water upstream of the membrane.

Abstract: A uniform area shower for use with a disc filter. The disc filter includes at least one disc and moving showers that periodically remove a precoat layer of solids from the surface of the disc. In one embodiment the uniform area shower comprises a oscillating shower that is pivotly mounted and travels radially over the disc. In an alternative embodiment the uniform area shower comprises a traversing shower that mounts to a carriage and travels radially over the disc. Each shower includes a controller controlling the drive mechanism to vary the speed of transport of the shower across the surface of the disc such that time spent by the shower cleaning the disc at each radial cleaning position is generally proportional to the radial distance of the cleaning position from the center of the disc so that a wash liquid is applied to a uniform area of the interior and exterior of the disc.

Abstract: A process for filtering kaolin clay slurries in the presence of a filter aid which increases the percent solids in the filter cake, decreases the product solids in the waste filtrate, increases the rate of filtration, and yet does not interfere with redispersal of the filter cake after filtration. The process utilizes high molecular weight, highly anionic polyacrylic acid homopolymers or copolymers, or water soluble salts thereof, as filter aids for thickening and dewatering kaolin clay slurries. The flocculated clay may be redispersed after the separation process by normal means, such as the addition of low molecular weight anionic polymers with mixing.

Abstract: This invention relates to purified natural glass products having low concentrations of soluble substances. More particularly, this invention relates to purified natural glass products having low slurry electrical conductivities (i.e., less than about 18 .mu.S-cm.sup.-1). Preferred embodiments are further characterized by low concentrations of soluble iron (i.e., less than about 2 mg Fe/kg product) and/or low concentrations of soluble aluminum (i.e., less than about 10 mg Al/kg product). These products may be prepared from natural glasses and natural glass products, including, for example, expanded perlite, pumice, expanded pumice, and volcanic ash. The products of the present invention retain the intricate and porous characteristics of the feed material but possess low concentrations of soluble substances, thereby permitting much greater utility, particularly in filtration applications.

Abstract: A device (10) for automatically determining filtration parameters for a sample of a filter aid material includes a measurement tube assembly (14) comprising a generally vertical measurement tube (34) and a septum (40) disposed within the tube for forming a filter cake of a filter aid material, a plurality of actuatable valves (V1-V12) coupled to the inlet (32) and discharge (44) of the measurement tube assembly for controlling water flow into and out of the assembly, a control and processor system (17) including a computer (200) operable to control the valves in accordance with a predetermined cycle to flush a slurry of filter aid into the measurement tube assembly and then cause water to flow under pressure through the measurement tube assembly and through a filter cake formed on the septum, and instrumentation (110, 120, 122, 130, 140) for measuring parameters needed for determining filtration parameters.

Abstract: A method of treating a spent dry film stripping and/or developing solution comprising the steps of adding about 0.01 to 15 grams of an aluminum source per liter of solution; adding about 0.05 to 25 grams of a metal precipitating agent per liter of solution; mixing the aluminum source, the metal precipitating agent and the solution with one another to form a mixture; adding an acid source to the mixture to lower the pH to less than about 6.5; and filtering the mixture to separate the metals and the photoresist from the remainder of the solution. The composition may also include 0 to 10 percent by weight of a dust-suppression agent, per liter of the solution, 0.1 to 10 grams of siliceous particulates per liter of spent stripper solution and/or an agent to enhance flocculation of the polymer precipitate.

Abstract: A system and method for disposing of vacuum degasser contaminants which includes adjusting the pH, in a reactor vessel, of a vacuum degasser underflow stream to precipitate lead and zinc into particulate matter. The solids are then concentrated in a thickener to produce an underflow stream that is communicated to a holding vessel to settle. The overflow from the thickener is filtered through a sand filter and discharged to meet applicable NPDES permit limits. Lime is added to the slurry in the holding vessel to further settle the solids, to aid in filtration, and to prevent leaching of lead from the filter cake during TCLP testing. An overlaying supernatant is decanted from the holding vessel and returned to the reactor vessel for further treatment. Limestone is added to the underflow stream. The resulting slurry is dewatered to produce a friable, non-hazardous filtrate cake and a filtrate. The filtrate is directed back to reactor vessel prior to discharge for further treatment.

Abstract: A process to purify polar liquid wastes consists in treating the wastes with a flocculating composition formed by a concentrated suspension of montmorillonite into a polar liquid, and preferably into the same polar liquid waste to be treated. Selected pH and concentration ranges are determined in order to obtain short or very short contact times and a complete purification of the treated polar liquid wastes.

Abstract: A fluid filtering machine is provided with a filtering membrane made up of filtering substance that collects on a filtering core in a filtering tank and is controlled by a programmable logic controller. The machine includes a raw water tank, a purified water tank, a primary debris strainer, a working pump, a filtering substance supplying tank, the filtering tank, a concentrated debris tank and the programmable logic controller. Wherein the combination of the above mentioned components with input from pressure switches, each of a number of solenoids and an actuating rod actuated by a motor can be accurately and precisely controlled by the controller to control flow through set procedures of machine operation. The procedures include filtering, retro-cleaning, formation of the filtering membrane and supplying of the filtering substance.

Abstract: A novel method is proposed for the preparation of a calcium silicate powder particularly useful as a filter aid in the filtration of an acidic aqueous liquid by virtue of the extremely high acid resistance of the calcium silicate powder. The inventive method comprises a hydrothermal reaction of a blend of a silica-containing material and calcium oxide or hydroxide in a specified molar ratio under specified reaction conditions to form calcium silicate, which is then subjected to a heat treatment at 800.degree.-1200.degree. C. for 0.5-2 hours. An improvement can be obtained in the clarity of the filtrate obtained by the filtration using the calcium silicate powder prepared by the inventive method as a filter aid when the hydrothermal reaction for the preparation thereof is conducted in an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide in a specified concentration.

Abstract: In the Bayer process for producing alumina from bauxite of the type wherein the bauxite is added to a caustic solution to produce a soluble aluminate solution and an insoluble red mud fraction which is then subjected to one or more separation steps to produce a thickener overflow which is then subjected to a Sand Filter to polish the thickener overflow the improvement which comprises treating the thickener overflow with a solids removal efficiency improving amount of a biopolymer.

Abstract: Small, wet particulate material is effectively dried by adding a hydrophobizing agent to coat the surfaces of the particulates, and then mechanically removing water droplets from the surfaces of the particulates. Once on the surface of the particulates, the hydrophobizing reagent makes the particulates relatively more hydrophobic and increases the water contact angle on the particulates. The moisture content of the particulate material can easily be reduced to levels below 20%, below 10%, and even below 5%. The process can be used to dewater a wide variety of constituents including coal particles, clays, sulfides, phosphorous compounds, minerals, metals, waste sludge, etc. Particularly preferred hydrophobizing reagents include mono unsaturated fatty esters and polysiloxane polymers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combined flocculating and clarifying medium for flocculating and separating solid particles from waste water comprising a mixture of solid filtering or aggregating particles and a dry flocculating agent effective to flocculate the solid particles to form larger and heavier aggregates with the filtering or aggregating particles in the waste water and filtering or gravity separating the formed aggregate from the waste water. Preferably, the filtering and aggregating particles are silicious particles, such as rice hull ash, diatomaceous earth, and perlite. The flocculating and clarifying medium can be combustible or can chemically fix the aggregated solid particles in a silicious cement, which solid particles can include heavy metal particles in silicious cement.

Abstract: The invention is a method for dewatering waste solids generated in mineral processing operations utilizing a hydrophobically-modified copolymer coagulant of diallyldimethyl ammonium chloride and quaternized dimethylaminoethyl acrylate or quaternized dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate.

Abstract: Secondary sludge produced in the papermaking process is dewatered by adding a material capable of absorbing water together with dry fibers to the secondary sludge, and mixing the secondary sludge with the dried fibers to produce a modified secondary sludge which has sufficient structure and low enough moisture that it may be further dewatered by mechanical means. The preferred fiber adding materials are those readily produced in the papermaking process, particularly dry primary sludge, dried fines and bark and fly ash from boilers.

Abstract: Finely divided solids suspensions can be dewatered by adding to the solids suspension a mixed hydroxy ether of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a linear hydroxy alkyl group containing from 2 to 16 carbon atoms with the hydroxyl group on the carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom with the ether linkage and R.sup.2 is a linear alkyl group with 1 to 15 carbon atoms with the proviso that the sum of the total carbon atoms in R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is 5 to 17, R.sup.3 is a linear or branched alkyl group with 1 to 12 carbon atoms and n is a number of from 1 to 20. The mixed hydroxy ethers are readily biodegradable, generate very little foam and have a low solidification point.

Abstract: It is known to treat the effluent resulting from photographic processing apparatus. Such treatment takes the form of either neutralization where the effluent is mixed with a neutralizing solution prior to disposal, or evaporation where the effluent is heated to form a precipitate and a concentrated liquid portion prior to disposal. However, both these techniques have disadvantages they do not account for toxic particles which may be suspended in the solutions. Described herein is apparatus in which photographic effluent can be treated to provide harmless end products which can be disposed of directly. The apparatus comprises a mixing unit (10) in which the effluent (S1) is mixed with treatment chemicals (S2, S3, S4, P1, P2, P3) and is then passed to a separation unit (20) in which the treated effluent is separated into non-toxic liquid and solid phases. A computer (100) is used to control all stages of the treatment of the effluent.

Abstract: The use of a dewatering aid comprising a sulfosuccinate and an oil in the filtration of alumina trihydrate is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of dewatering mineral-containing sludge by adding to the sludge (a) an aqueous solution or emulsion of acrylamide polymer flocculating agent and (b) a microfiber additive. By using this method, such mineral-containing sludges can be quickly dewatered into a cake having 25-35% solids which can then be further processed to a 60% solids-containing material. The method is particularly suitable for use in methods for treating, recovering, rehabilitating and recycling residue of mining operations. The method also enhances the filtration characteristics of certain mineral residues. With modification, the method is also suitable for dewatering organic sludges. Kaolin clay and red mud from the Bayer process are disclosed among the mineral-containing sludges which may be dewatered in accordance with the process of the invention.

Abstract: A liquid filter assembly is provided of the type having a container, a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet and a filter medium adapted to operate in conjunction with a filtration aid such as diatomaceous earth. The filter medium is of the type which the filtration aid falls off at the end of a cycle and becomes mixed with liquid and redeposited on the filter medium at the commencement of a new cycle. The liquid inlet has a cowl directed downwardly and at the incline to a radius of the container in plan view to direct incoming fluid towards the bottom of the container to properly distribute filtration aid from the container bottom.

Abstract: A method for increasing the filtration rate of a precipitate produced from a photographic effluent includes treating the effluent with hydrogen peroxide and an alkaline earth metal salt to form a precipitate and adding to the precipitate a diatomaceous earth filtering aid and then filtering the precipitate.

Abstract: A process for improving the efficiency of coal dewatering and deashing uses complexing agents such as sodium gluconate in alkaline solution to form soluble compounds with cations such as Al.sup.+3, Fe.sup.+3, Mg.sup.+2, and Ca.sup.+2. The formation of such compounds reduces the adsorption and/or desorbs clay slimes from the coal surface.

Abstract: Addition of alkyl and/or alkenyl polyalkylene glycol ethers as filtration aids in the filtration and/or dehydration of mineral or coal suspensions reduces the dehydration time, and filter cakes with a low residual moisture content are obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for treating water by using a precoated filter.Since the method of the present invention utilizes ion-exchange fibers having an ion-exchange polymer and a reinforcing polymer as the precoating material together with a cation-exchange resin powder and an anion-exchange resin powder, the method made it possible to prominently prolong the lifetime of the precoating material and to improve the quality of the treated water.The method for treating water of the present invention is suited for the treatment of water to be used in, or waste water from atomic power plants, steam power plants, pharmaceutical companies and the like.

Abstract: In the vacuum filtering of coal slurries, dewatering of the filter cake is achieved by contacting the coal with a C.sub.8 to C.sub.20 aliphatic carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, especially sodium oleate. Reductions in moisture levels are thereby achieved in a cost-effective manner.

Abstract: A method of filtering beverages and other liquids. To avoid the considerable ecoproblems encountered with the filter aids of known procedures, which must be thrown away, the filtering active structure of the inventive filter aids is maintained so that they may be reused as often as required. A mixture of filter aids of varying morphological and physical components is used, and constitutes a minimum of two components, namely one component of specifically heavy, chemically stable metal and/or metal oxide and/or carbon particles of fibrous and/or granular structure, and a further component, for building up the filter cake and increasing its volume, of synthetic and/or cellulose fibers having a fiber length of 1 to 5000 .mu.m and a fiber thickness of 0.5 to 100 .mu.m. To increase the filtering efficiency of the filter cake of the aforementioned components, a further component may be added that comprises fibrillated or fanned out synthetic and/or cellulose fibers, preferably having a fiber length of 500 to 5000 .

Abstract: A process for the treatment of refinery oily sludges to produce an oily fraction that is reprocessed in the refinery into (i) salable products and (ii) a solid residue meeting environmental regulatory agency requirements for disposal in non-hazardous solid waste landfills. The process includes mixing the refinery oily sludge with a particulate filter aid and preferably a single solvent selected from refinery intermediate and product streams and contacting this mixture with plate filters in a closed filter vessel. A cake residue forms on the filter plates and a filtrate mixture of oil, water and solvent is produced. The filtrate is separated into an oily fraction and a water fraction. The oily fraction is rerouted to refinery operating units for processing into salable products. The water fraction is routed to a refinery water treatment system. When filter cake residue has built to a predetermined level, charge to the filter vessel is discontinued.

Abstract: A process for removing oily residues from aqueous waste streams using a cross flow filtration system in which the efficiency of a dynamic membrane system comprising a gel layer and supporting semipermeable membrane is optimized by applying a controlled shear force parallel to the plane of the membrane.

Abstract: An automated computer protocol is disclosed for the dispensing rate of a filter aid slurry into a pressure or vacuum filter in order to efficiently use filter aid and disposable filter septum. The control system accepts three input variables; these variables are total time of filter use, differential pressure across the filter media and the volume (level) in the (slurry or filter aid) bodyfeed tank for augmenting the filter performance. In the disclosed protocol, these variables are processed in turn to vary the rate in which bodyfeed will be introduced into the filter. Specifically, and on an adjustable incremental basis, the pressure differential is monitored across the filter. This differential is compared to that differential which would exist if the filter had reached the end of service life "set point"--which requires septum replacement and cleaning. The total quantity of bodyfeed available and the rate at which bodyfeed is being added to the filter are monitored.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a particulate hydrated filter material containing clay for refining glyceride oil, including such oil containing contaminants resulting from the cooking of food. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of making such hydrated filter materials.

Abstract: In a method of dewatering suspensions or the like slurry-like mixtures, in particular waste water slurries, fed to a belt filter press formed by filter belts, with the waste water slurry, is a crumbly dry substance which has been produced by drying from the solids discharge of the belt filter press.

Abstract: Calcium silicate filter aids have been found to be effective to remove colloidal iron suspensions from aqueous streams without plugging filters. Calcium silicate filter aid is made by heating diatomaceous earth with hydrous lime.

Abstract: The use of mixed hydroxyethers of the general formula IR.sup.1 O--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.x --CH.sub.2 --CH(OH)R.sup.2 (I)in whichR.sup.1 denotes an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atomsR.sup.2 denotes an alkyl group having 8 to 20 carbon atoms and x denotes a number in the range from 1 to 20 as auxiliaries for the dehydration of water-containing finely divided solids, gives solids having a low water content without foaming in the water separated therefrom.

Abstract: A method for treating and resolving a phosphorus containing oily waste emulsion is described. The treatment uses an emulsion destabilizing cationic polymer of low molecular weight in combination with filter aids to form a coacervate slurry. The coacervate slurry can be optionally treated with either high molecular weight anionic or cationic coagulents, or combination thereof. The suspended solids formed by the above treatments are removed from the slurries and wasted or discarded or incinerated. The remaining liquids may be recycled, reused, or treated as effluent meeting environmental standards.

Abstract: A process and system for separating and removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from groundwater, where said groundwater is polluted by immiscible liquid floating on the water table and by solutes within the water. The process includes pumping the contaminated water through a separator and low pressure tank assembly, that separates silt, sand, and liquid VOCs from the water. The water is pumped through an air stripper to remove the dissolved volatiles from the water. The recovered liquid VOCs from the pressure tank are suitable for processing or reuse. The volatiles liberated from the water in the air stripper are released either to the atmosphere or routed to pollution abatement devices as required by environmental rules. The decontaminated water is released to a sewer system or to the environment.

Abstract: Tall oily fatty acids when combined with certain non-ionic surfactants having an HLB number from 10-14 are superior dewatering agents for Bayer Process alumina trihydrate filter cakes.

Abstract: Particles of an ion exchange resin are brought into contact with water in a water circulation system in a power plant for capturing corrosion products and other impurities and are removed after reaction with the corrosion products and the other impurities from the water circulation system, the water circulation system including a reactor vessel or a steam generator connected thereto for generation of steam, a steam turbine driven by the steam, a condenser for condensing the steam from the steam turbine and a condensate cleaning filter for cleaning condensate formed in the condenser, as well as one or more pumps for effecting the water circulation and returning cleaned condensate to the reactor vessel or the steam generator.

Abstract: An aquarium filter assembly which can be utilized as a diatomaceous earth filter which is self-priming. The filter includes a housing having a pump means from which depends a filtering element. The water pumped through the filtering element can be directed either back into the housing for recirculation of the water in the housing, or out of the housing and back into the aquarium tank for filtering of the aquarium tank water. A valve within the housing operates to permit water entry into the housing upon initial insertion and during filtration of the aquarium tank water. The valve closes when the water flow from the filtering element is directed back into the housing. Diatomaceous earth can be added into the housing and the water recirculated within the housing serves to self-prime the filter element. After charging the filter element, the water flow from the filtering element is directed into the aquarium tank and the valve opens to permit regular filtering of the aquarium tank water.

Abstract: Improved filtration rates and decreased sodium chloride and moisture content in sodium bicarbonate filter cakes are obtained by including a filter aid containing a mono and/or dialkylester of sodium sulfosuccinate in the filter feed suspension.

Abstract: A method and composition for dewatering coal and mineral slurries by centrifugation or filtration wherein a dewatering aid in combination with a clay dispersant is added to the slurry prior to centrifugation. The dewatering aid is preferably an alkylphenolethoxylate surfactant and the clay dispersant is preferably sodium hexametaphosphate. The combination aids in dewatering and also reduces the ash content of coal treated with the combination.

Abstract: To improve the dewaterability of sludge, which is dewatered in a dewatering device, in particular a plate filter press, a polymeric filter aid is added to the sludge. Since the flocs require a certain ripening time to form, a part stream of the unfiltered sludge is to be taken off according to the invention at the point opposite the feed and recycled into the main stream. The recycled flocs serve as flocculation nuclei. A further advantage of the sludge recycle is that the floc structure and/or size can then be scanned in the recycled part stream. The representative measured results are utilized for changing parameters which determine the dewaterability.

Abstract: A process for separating hydrocarbons from waste water, in particular aromatic hydrocarbons, by means of an absorbing filtering layer. The hydrocarbons dissolved and non-dissolved in the waste water are separated in a single stage. The waste water is supplied to a metallic slotted multiple tube filter, and a hydrocarbon-containing material, preferably coking duff, is used as an adsorbing filtering layer. Its grain size distribution in the particle size range between 0.05-0.2 mm has a mass proportion of at least 25% by weight, with a total surface area of at least 1500 cm.sup.2 /g. The filtering material can be made to float on the filtering elements or added to the waste water.

Abstract: A process for the production of alkyl polyoxyethylenes showing improved low-temperature behavior, by reaction of alcohols with ethylene oxide at elevated temperature in the presence of basic alkali metal compounds as catalysts and subsequent neutralization of the alkaline catalyst with acids, which under prior art practice was impractical because of clogging of reaction vessels and equipment associated with precipitation of salts during neutralization, is made practical by adding a finely divided solid to serve as a precipitation control agent during neutralization. The finely divided solids used are, in particular, organic and/or inorganic materials known in the prior art as filter aids, such as kieselguhr and sawdust or other finely divided cellulose.

Abstract: This invention relates to filtering or straining of fluids where the suspended solids removed by filtration must eventually be discharged from the filter as a "dry cake" discharge. The apparatus provides for the use of a central flow tube positioned within a filter element which is connected to a filter element drain pipe through a valve, which in case of multiple filter elements within a filtration vessel, controls draining of all elements. To assist in detecting a defective or malfunctioning filter element, a sample conduit with a sample valve is provided independently for each filter element.

Abstract: This invention relates to the removal of hypochlorite groups from aqueous effluent solutions, so as to permit the disposal of the effluent by deep well injection. More particularly this invention relates to the catalytic decomposition of such hypochlorite groups from scrubbing water effluent used to remove chlorine from a gaseous effluent, wherein a solid catalyst is dissolved, recycled and reprecipitated in situ.

Abstract: Techniques are described for extracting lead from a sample of potable water and analyzing for the amount of lead so extracted. A complexing agent is added to the water to form a complex with the lead. The water is then contacted with unmodified cellulosic or siliceous material on which the lead complex is retained. The complexed lead can be removed from the cellulosic or siliceous material with a weak acid. The amount of lead in the sample can be readily determined colorimetrically.

Abstract: A process for enhancing the filterability of organic pigments, which comprises adding to an aqueous pigment suspension 0.5 to 15% by weight, based on the pigment, of an unbranched aliphatic 1,2-dihydroxy compound containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms, and stirring the mixture for at least 15 minutes in the temperature range from 20.degree. to 100.degree. C.Pigments treated by the process of this invention have substantially enhanced filterability as compared with identical pigments which have not been treated with the 1,2-dihydroxy compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the reduction in size of the pores of a filter medium for beverages, preferably beer. Silica sol is added to the beverage to be filtered. In order to be able to reduce the size of the pores of the filter medium in a simple manner and to adjust it to the requirements, upstream of the filter medium through which passes the beverage, silica sol is added continuously or in a batch-feed process using a tank, in such a quantity and controlled such that the silicic-acid precipitation, i.e. the transition from SiO.sub.2 primary particles to SiO.sub.2 secondary particles, has taken place before the beverage has left the filter medium. The resultant silicic-acid precipitation reduces the size of the pores without sealing them.