Abstract: A compact, self-contained skimming system for removing waste material from aqueous cleaning solutions used in parts washers. A single tank contains a sloped floor, two compartments separated by a baffle, and an opening between a bottom edge of the baffle and the floor. Waste liquid collects in the first stage compartment, where gravity initially separates water and coarse debris from the waste material containing oil and grease, some water, and fine debris. A partially immersed rotating skimmer further adsorbs the waste material. A waste collection system transfers the waste material to the second stage compartment, where gravity further separates the fine debris and additional water from the oil and grease. The oil and grease flow through a waste drainage system out of the second stage compartment. The fine debris and water flow along the downwardly sloping floor, through the opening at the bottom of the baffle back into the first stage compartment.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis water purification system for providing potable water from a municipal water or other source containing undesired impurities. A motor driven pump supplies a feed stream to a reverse osmosis unit resulting in the creation of a product water stream and a concentrate or brine stream. The inclusion of a product water holding tank may be optionally omitted by routing the product water outlet stream directly to the tap via a branched line. A pressure sensor causes a solenoid valve to open when the withdrawal of water from the tap is terminated, opening a valve in the branch line leading back to the pump. The pump then continues to run, recirculating the product water stream to a mixing unit where it is blended with a major part of the concentrate stream that is being recycled and with make-up fresh water to create a composite feed stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for fractionating organic circuit board manufacture process solutions by means of at least one very fine filtration step. In the process of the present invention, the dissolved substances present in the process solutions are separated, for example by ultrafiltration, from the organic process solvent, e.g., ethyidiglycol, to permit their respective reuse. The process of the present invention advantageously provides for considerable savings in terms of costs of material and energy and also for a considerable reduction in or even complete avoidance of waste.

Abstract: A method and device for the filtration and/or purification of fluids water or other solutions containing microbiological contaminants, such as fluids containing including bacteria and/or viruses, where the fluid water is passed through a purification material composed of apatite and absorption media in a fixed binder matrix.

Abstract: This disclosure sets out a method and apparatus for recovery of cesium formate in water solution after use in a drilling process where trash and other debris accumulate in the drilling fluid. It incorporates a first stage centrifuge, a second stage centrifuge and a membrane separator serially connected, and incorporates a feedback loop. A feedback loop iteratively redirects solids and heavy weight concentrate after processing and recycles it to enhance recovery by enhanced removal of cuttings and trash in the stream. In addition, cuttings and other solids removed from the fluid stream are introduced into a wash tank, mixed with water, and the cuttings are further processed to remove remnants of the cesium formate. These recovered cesium formate remnants are passed through an evaporator to regain the density loss attributable to the dilutive wash water. The cuttings can then be thrown away without throwing away the valuable cesium formate in the drilling solution.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting water in an ice-making machine having a water inlet for receiving an incoming stream of water, a supply of recirculating water, a reservoir for containing the supply of recirculating water, a transport conduit for transporting water from the reservoir, and an evaporator plate which receives water from the transport conduit and over which at least one of the incoming stream and the recirculating supply can flow to form ice. The system comprises a device for treating at least one of the incoming stream and the recirculating supply in the transport conduit before the water from either flows over the evaporator plate.

Abstract: A plurality of unit bags 2a, 2b . . . are composed of a permeable strip-shaped nonwoven and arranged in a successive fashion without break so that they can be easily accommodated and stored by being rolled. An annular elastic body 5 disposed around an opening 3a formed to an end of each bag 2a permits the opening 3a to be opened. Since an optically sensing object or a magnetically sensing object is disposed around the opening 3a or at a position spaced apart from the openings 3a, 3b . . . a prescribed distance, the portion of the sensing object can be positioned by a sensing device 15. Further, when, for example, sludge, and the like containing water are accommodated in a waste accommodating bag 1 and squeezed, the sludge, and the like can be easily dehydrated.

Abstract: A process for cleaning up the wastewaters which originate from the preparation of alcohols. The alcohol preparation includes an aldolization reaction followed by hydrogenation and then alcohol distillation. The resulting wastewaters include 3 wastewater fractions from respective steps in the alcohol preparation. The process for cleaning up these wastewaters include the steps of (a) combining two of the three fractions and adjusting the pH of the combination, (b) bringing at least one of the fractions into contact with a coalescing filter, and (c) extracting a mixture of all three fractions.

Abstract: An automatic control apparatus for effecting the continuous removal of contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a process fluid, such as water used to wash print towels or the like. The apparatus includes a pump for circulating wash water from a washer to a treatment tank. A diffuser is provided for air stripping the contaminants from the wash water in the tank. The diffused gas is exhausted through a vent in the tank, and a contaminant emissions concentration sensor detects the composition of VOCs in the exhaust. A controller signals the pump to vary the circulation based on the emissions concentration detected by the sensor. The wash water is continuously recirculated to the washer until a predetermined emissions concentration is reached. A drain in the tank releases the treated wash water to the environment.

Abstract: A method for flushing and filling of an extracorporeal blood circulation system of a dialysis machine is disclosed. The machine has a dialyzer, a separate dialysis liquid circuit flowing through a dialysate side of the dialyzer with the extracorporeal blood circulation system flowing through a blood side of the dialyzer for removal of impurities from the blood and the dialysate and blood sides of the dialyzer separated by a hemodialyzer membrane. The method comprises the steps of transporting dialysis liquid from the dialysis liquid circuit in the dialysate side of the dialyzer through the hemodialyzer membrane into the blood side of the dialyzer and the extracorporeal blood circulation system to flush and fill the system and conducting a dialysis treatment.

Abstract: A method suitable for treating used oil to remove ash and metal contaminants therefrom with minimum oxidation of the oil, the metal including at least one of the components of iron, lead, copper, zinc, sodium, magnesium, and calcium, to provide a highly purified oil product having less than 10 ppm of at least one of the contaminants and less than 0.15 wt. % of ash content. The method comprises providing a body of oil to be purified and chemically treating the oil to condition ash and metals contained therein to facilitate removal of ash and metal during membrane purification of the oil.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses are provided for continuously harvesting particles from organic solution-laden near-critical and supercritical fluids. Broadly, the processes and apparatuses utilize a filter or separator comprising a thin membrane supported on a sintered stainless steel tube. A feed stream comprising the desired particles, a supercritical antisolvent for the particles (preferably CO.sub.2), and a solvent for the particles, is contacted with the membrane layer of the filter under supercritical conditions for the mixture of antisolvent and solvent. The preferred antisolvents are substantially miscible with the solvent and have a critical temperature of less than 160.degree. C. The desired particles are retained by the filter while the solvent and most of the antisolvent pass through the filter, resulting in separation of the particles from the solvent.

Abstract: Methods for the central preparation and distribution of a concentrate to a plurality of medical treatment devices are disclosed comprising supplying a stream of substantially only water to a central container which includes a single salt composition at least partially in solid form, producing a substantially saturated solution of the salt composition in the central container, and distributing the salt solution to a distribution conduit which includes a plurality of concentrate connectors whereby the salt solution can be distributed to the plurality of medical treatment devices. Methods for disinfecting this apparatus, the apparatus itself, and containers for use in the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Water to be purified is passed through a reverse osmosis step to produce a pure water stream and a waste water stream. The waste water is directed to a deionization step to produce purified deionized water which is recycled to the reverse osmosis step. The process directs far less water to waste as compared to conventional reverse osmosis processes. The process also produces water of higher organic and inorganic purity than can be obtained by either reverse osmosis or deionization alone.

Abstract: A liquid solid separation apparatus having a porous metal pipe sealed inside a non-porous metal pipe which allows a portion of the liquids, e.g., hydrocarbons and water to pass through the first pipe into the non porous pipe from which they are removed while solids are retained within the porous pipe. In the process there is a system pressure which aids in the filtration and a circulating velocity which removes the detained solids. Preferably a portion of these solids with reduced liquid content are recycled back to the system, mixed with fresh feed. By recycling a porion of the recovered solid concentrate the velocity of the flow in the system kept constant and the system itself is stabilized.

Abstract: Apparatus for maintaining the condition of cutting fluids in a machine tool sump and for the removal of tramp oil from the cutting fluid has a pump to draw cutting fluid from the machine tool sump and transfer the fluid to an auxiliary tank where the fluid outlet is directed to drive a turbine wheel for rotation of a shaft and simultaneously aerate the cutting fluid. Drums on the shaft are partially submerged so as to be wetted by the tramp oil content. Wiper blades bear against the drum surfaces to strip the tramp oil from the drums as they rotate. A collecting trough is positioned below the wiper contact line to receive the tramp oil as it is stripped from the drum and drain it off to a waste container. In this manner, the cutting fluid is in constant circulation, even when the machine tool is idle.

Abstract: A water desalination and softening system that can be used in a home or commercial environment which recirculates water past a membrane filter element in a manner to self clean the membrane and to prevent a buildup of salts and minerals on the membrane surface. The system conserves water so as to result in near zero waste by recirculating water from a reservoir tank past the membrane. The system can operate in conjunction with a building's water supply and can operate without problems in either a zero or low effluent mode or when water usage is frequent.

Abstract: An improved filtering device for a swimming pool surge pit is provided. The filtering device includes a frame with first and second filter elements removably mounted in the frame such that water flows through both elements to remove debris before the water enters a water supply line leading to the main filtration system of the pool. The filter elements slide along guide tracks in the frame and are independently removable such that one filter element is always in place. Thus, the water in the surge pit is filtered 100% of the time before passage into the water supply line. The filter elements extend above the water level in the surge pit such that both floating and submerged debris are captured by the filter elements.

Abstract: In a developing, etching and stripping apparatus, photoresist developing and stripping chemicals are drawn off into separate circulatory paths in each of which they are pumped through a heat exchanger, a series of tangential filters, an ultraviolet contactor and a collection tank. Permeate from the filters is returned to the developing or stripping stage, and solutions with high concentrations of solids are removed from the collection tanks for disposal. A similar system is used to recycle metal stripping solutions such as nitric acid-containing solutions, allowing recovery of metals.

Abstract: A system and method of separation of therapeutic components from blood. The system includes a dual member centrifuge and a disposable single use fluid transfer set. The set includes an elongated flexible separation chamber having an input port, a separated component output port and a residual fluid output port. The input port and the separated component output ports are located at opposite ends of the elongated separation chamber. The centrifuge includes a receiving chamber with a selectively formed annular slot therein. The separation chamber is positioned in the annularly shaped slot and rotated at a predetermined rotational velocity. Fluids such as whole blood flows through the separation chamber and are separated into various therapeutic components such as platelet rich plasma and residual concentrated red blood cells. Platelet rich plasma can be drawn off as the separated therapeutic component. An alternate two part transfer set provides for highly efficient platelet pheresis.

Abstract: There is described a method for the separation of liquids of different densities that are not soluble in one another, such as water and oil, where a liquid mixture is placed in a tank in which heat is optionally supplied to the liquid mixture, and separation occurs as the liquid having the highest density sinks toward the bottom of the tank and forms a layer (a) where it may be tapped off, and the liquid having the lowest density rises and forms a layer (c) at the top of the tank (1), and that between the separated liquids is a mixed layer (b) comprising a mixture of the liquids, where the liquid mixture to be separated is fed into the tank in a manner generating the least possible vertical liquid flow, and where the liquid mixture is fed into the tank through one or more outlets that are disposed in a closed-off section of the tank. Also described is an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An oil-water separation method to separate oil-contaminated water into clean, filtered water for use. The method comprises filtering prefiltered, coalesced oil-water in an oleophobic depth-type filter.

Abstract: In a process for the extraction of organic compounds contained in an aqueous solution of non-ionic surfactants which contain the organic compounds to be extracted, the aqueous solution is intensely mixed with a liquid which is not miscible with water whereby the organic compounds transfer to the liquid which is not miscible with water, and the blend of the aqueous solution and the liquid which is not miscible with water is then separated, the mixing and the separation process being performed in a centrifugal extractor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inhibiting scaling in an electrodeionization system or in a combined reverse osmosis/electrodeionization system for water treatment and, more particularly, for increasing tolerance to hardness in the feed water to an electrodeionization unit to inhibit precipitation of metal cations contained in the feed water and for increasing efficiency of the electrodeionization system. Water to be purified is passed through a electrodeionization unit in which a concentrate stream recycling through concentrating compartments and anode and cathode compartments contains effective amounts of an antiscalant to inhibit precipitation of scale. One or more preliminary reverse osmosis units in series with the electrodeionization unit preferably receives a portion of the antiscalants in the concentrate stream. The antiscalant in the water fed to the reverse osmosis unit can be supplemented and adjusted.

Abstract: A process for resolving even tightly emulsified oil, water and solid emulsions by the application of a sheer force sufficient to break the emulsion. In one particular application, a tank bottom sludge produced in the petroleum industry is treated with the shear force of a bal or roller mill into the emulsion is broken. Simultaneous reduction in the particle size of the solids occurs. This process produces a commercial grade oil, water and an aqueous slurry of solids devoid of oily compounds. The oil-free solid phase produced thereby is suited for use in a coker quench stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting oil from water, particularly spillage water from gasoline stations and water that emanates from vehicle-washing plants. The method and apparatus utilize filters to which contaminated water from the vehicle-washing plant and other contaminated water is passed. The water is cleansed in one or more mutually sequential filters arranged in the flow direction of the water. The water is cleansed by first causing the water to flow through a collection filter in which oil and coarse particles are collected in a first cleansing stage. The water from the collection filter is passed through a fine filter adapted to lower the oil content of the water to a level below about 50 to 70 mg/l in a second cleansing stage. The water from the fine filter then flows through a membrane filter that is adapted to filter-off at least 75% of the oil remaining in the water during a third cleansing stage.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for dewatering and containing radioactive, aqueous waste (44), the latter is introduced into a filtration container (12) and is ultimately disposed of in a disposable container structure (12, 48, 50), which comprises the filtration container (12) holding the dewatered waste (44), as well as an outer container (50) enclosing the filtration container (12). The filtration container is an inner sack (12) having a bottom (13) which is provided with a straining cloth and through which essentially all the dewatering is carried out. After the dewatering operation has been completed, the inner sack (12) is sealed and placed in the outer container (50) in order to be ultimately disposed of. For purposes of cleaning, the filtration water (17) may be recirculated through the waste during the dewatering operation.

Abstract: An economical process for reducing water consumption and, therefore, water discharge during the dyeing of textile goods is disclosed. Processing baths during dyeing, which can be reused directly or after minimal treatment, are segregated from baths which contain a high level of pollutants and color. The reuse baths are combined and stored separately from baths which are to be discharged. The reuse baths are then recycled directly or after minimal treatment to the dyeing process. Baths containing a high level of pollutants and color are either discharged directly to the local public treatment works or are treated in a conventional wastewater treatment plant. The process results in substantial economic benefits because the operating costs of recycling reuse baths are low and because the quantity of wastewater discharged is substantially reduced.

Abstract: An in process fluid delivery reservoir and method is disclosed for continuously filtering particulate matter and oils from industrial fluids, such as coolants, oils, aqueous emulsions, etc., which are necessary in the operation of machine tools. The reservoir utilizes a primary containment area with a primary chip screen and a first baffle to trap much of the particulate matter and contain tramp oil. The reservoir also contains secondary and tertiary containment areas which utilize upper and bottom baffles to further trap the particulate matter and tramp oils, when said reservoir is utilized with aqueous emulsion. The industrial fluid remaining in the tertiary containment area is ready to be delivered to the machine tool for reuse.

Abstract: A swimming pool cleaning system includes a pump, a first tube coupling a suction port of the pump in fluid communication with a main drain or mobile cleaning device which draws water and settled debris from the bottom of the pool, and a skimming device including an entrainment nozzle. The entrainment nozzle is coupled by a second tube to a coupling device which diverts a small portion of pool return water pumped from an outlet port of the pump. Most of the pool return water is pumped into a rotary distribution valve, various outlets of which are connected to various pool cleaning heads embedded in an inner surface of the pool. A vacuum canister having a removable cover to allow access to a removable debris trap disposed in the vacuum canister between an inlet and an outlet thereof is coupled between a suction inlet of the pump and the main drain or mobile cleaning device.

Abstract: Systems and methods convey anticoagulated blood suspension from a donor into a separation device for component separation. One or more components are retained for therapeutic use, while one or more are returned to the donor. The systems and methods monitor the rate at which anticoagulant carried in the returned components is being returned. The rate, expressed in terms of milligram (mg) of anticoagulant per kilogram (kg) of donor body weight per unit of time of blood processing, is compared to a nominal rate that is correlated with donor comfort.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating a first liquid phase from second liquid phase and entrained air and solids. More particularly, the apparatus removes tramp oil, metal shavings and other solids from coolant used in metal-working machines. The apparatus can also be used to remove air and solids from a single liquid phase. The apparatus is compact and simple to use. It overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art devices, including their tendency to become plugged with oily material.

Abstract: A food starch seperator comprising a serially connected centrifuge and a membrane seperator further comprising a sintered pipe providing pore flow paths including a pumped source of food plant liquor, outputs for the centrifuge and membrane seperator and a control system to regulate the flow of the food plant liquor.

Abstract: An apparatus providing process water used for making or processing a fiber suspension includes a multi-compartment tank with a top, a bottom wall, and a plurality of exterior sidewalls. Each compartment has an inlet positioned near the top, an outlet positioned near the bottom wall, and at least one intervening wall common with an adjacent compartment. Each intervening wall has a height defining an overflow weir whereby the compartments are arranged with sequentially decreasing maximum fluid levels. Each intervening wall also has a backflow device positioned near the bottom wall. The backflow device is selectively openable to allow flow from one compartment to an adjacent compartment in a direction opposite to a flow direction over the corresponding overflow weir.

Abstract: A process for recovering protein, fatty and water components from a float material produced by a waste water treatment system, wherein the protein and fatty components can be further processed for inclusion in various products, such as animal feed. The recovered water component can also be further processed before discharged into a sewer system.

Abstract: A blood separation system operates in a first mode to convey whole blood into the inlet region of a blood processing chamber for centrifugal separation into packed red blood cells, a plasma constituent, and an interface, which carries mononuclear cells, between the packed red blood cells and the plasma constituent. The system removes packed red blood cells and the plasma constituent from the chamber, while maintaining the interface within the chamber. The system operates in a second mode to remove the interface from the chamber by conveying packed red blood cells into the inlet region. An outlet path conveys the removed interface from the chamber. The outlet path includes a first sensing element to locate mononuclear cells in the removed interface and provide a sensed output upon locating mononuclear cells.

Abstract: An improved autologous blood salvage system is provided in which blood is removed from a patient and may be processed in a manner wherein an anticoagulant solution is for cycled for reuse. Further, the system may be employed for contemporaneous blood filtering and red blood separation. In one embodiment, anticoagulated blood is contemporaneously filtered and defoamed within a rotating processing bowl, while red blood cells are separated, washed and collected within the bowl and an anticoagulant solution is cycled from the bowl for re-use. During a red blood cell removal mode, the flow of anticoagulated blood into the bowl may be suspended/terminated and the bowl pressurized to remove the red blood cells. The improved system provides for the recovery of a high quality red blood cell product, with reduced processing time requirements/user training, and reduced disposable componentry and related costs.

Abstract: Methods for the central preparation and distribution of a concentrate to a plurality of medical treatment devices are disclosed comprising supplying a stream of substantially only water to a central container which includes a single salt composition at least partially in solid form, producing a substantially saturated solution of the salt composition in the central container, and distributing the salt solution to a distribution conduit which includes a plurality of concentrate connectors whereby the salt solution can be distributed to the plurality of medical treatment devices. Methods for disinfecting this apparatus, the apparatus itself, and containers for use in the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A composition and method of removing hydrocarbons from a contaminated sludge which comprises hydrocarbons, solid particles and water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a contaminated sludge including hydrocarbons and solid particles such that the hydrocarbons are bound to at least some of the solid particles; applying a treatment fluid to the contaminated sludge, the treatment fluid comprising water, a silicate, a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a phosphate builder and a caustic compound; contacting the contaminated sludge with the treatment fluid for a time sufficient to remove the hydrocarbons from at least some of the solid particles; separating the hydrocarbons from the treatment fluid and from the solid particles; recovering the hydrocarbons; and recycling the treatment fluid by applying the treatment fluid to additional contaminated sludge.

Abstract: A lubricant filtering and monitoring system and method is provided for a lubricant circulation system circulating lubricant through a filter to a lubricated component. A combination of sensors senses a condition of the lubricant before and after passage through the filter and before and after passage through the component and provides an output indicative of a condition in the circulation system. A sensor senses a condition of lubricant flowing through the filter, and another sensor senses a condition of lubricant flowing through a reference section for comparison against and normalizing of the output of the first sensor. A method of actively monitoring the component is provided by comparing influent to the component with effluent from the component to ascertain how lubricant is being modified by the component, by sensing a condition of lubricant passing through the filter. An effective method is provided for determining when to change or clean the filter.

Abstract: A downhole fluid separation system comprises a fluid separator having a fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a second fluid outlet, with a sensing device for sensing at least one parameter of a first component of a fluid mixture introduced into the fluid inlet of the fluid separator. The ratio of the first component to a second component of the fluid mixture is adjusted as such fluid mixture is introduced into the fluid inlet of the fluid separator in response to a signal provided by the sensing means. By adjusting the component ratio before the fluid is introduced into the fluid separator in response to a signal from a downhole sensing device, acceptable separation efficiency can be achieved over a broad range of fluid component ratios for a given fluid separator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating waste water to generate clarified water for reuse in industrial processes which includes the steps of adding agents to the waste stream to generate floccules, aerating the waste stream to cause a portion of the floccules to float, decanting floating floccules and lighter than water immiscible pollutants from the top surface of the waste stream, directing the waste stream through an incline clarifier so as to permit heavier than water floccules to form sludge in a bottom region of the clarifier. Sludge and decanted pollutants are sent to a bioremediation tank where hydrocarbons are decomposed and the remaining sludge is dewatered and compacted to a solid condition for disposal in a public waste facility. The clarified water is transferred to a steam generator or pressurized water delivery system for reuse. The invention is particularly useful for equipment cleaning operations such as in truckyards or airports.

Abstract: An integrated method for purifying industrial and/or urban effluents containing a large amount of organic material in solution and/or suspension, wherein said effluents are treated in a wet oxidation reactor. The effluents are oxidized in the presence of at least one oxidizing gas to mineralize a large part of the organic material therein by producing a gas phase and an essentially liquid phase mainly containing soluble residual organic material, as well as an essentially inorganic solid phase in suspension. The essentially liquid phase from the reactor is subjected to liquid/solid separation to separate the solid phase, and at least a fraction of the separated solid phase is recycled in the wet oxidation reactor. Various alternative embodiments of the method include adding a catalyst and/or an agent for acidifying the recycled solid phase fraction. The facility may operate continuously or semi-continuously between interruptions.

Abstract: A method for separating water-miscible organic species from a process stream by aqueous biphasic extraction is provided. An aqueous biphase system is generated by contacting a process stream comprised of water, salt, and organic species with an aqueous polymer solution. The organic species transfer from the salt-rich phase to the polymer-rich phase, and the phases are separated. Next, the polymer is recovered from the loaded polymer phase by selectively extracting the polymer into an organic phase at an elevated temperature, while the organic species remain in a substantially salt-free aqueous solution. Alternatively, the polymer is recovered from the loaded polymer by a temperature induced phase separation (cloud point extraction), whereby the polymer and the organic species separate into two distinct solutions.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the separation of mixtures of plastics, contaminated with, among other things, mineral heavy materials such as e.g. sand or metal refuse. Separation occurs according to density in a separating liquid in the centrifugal field of the rotating suspension. The present invention provides the connection of a hydrocyclone before a separating centrifuge. The mineral heavy materials are separated in advance in the hydrocyclone and the plastic mixture is further separated in the centrifuge. Wear on components of the separating centrifuge caused by these heavy materials can be avoided, and in some applications a second separating stage at a higher separation density can be eliminated.

Abstract: A process for treating oils and solvents contaminated by radioactive substances includes a step of subjecting the oils and solvents to the action of pre-selected micro-organisms in the presence of air and a very large volume of water, relative to the volume of oils and solvents to be treated. The micro-organisms destroy organic molecules, and in particular transform them into CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O. Further steps of the process include preparing a predetermined volume of water having predetermined characteristics of dissolved oxygen concentration, pH and redox potential and adding a predetermined charge of oils and solvents contaminated by radioactive substances to this volume of water, the charge corresponding to a volume of oils and solvents which is a predetermined fraction of the predetermined volume of water. The charge is subjected to the action of micro-organisms at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A reconditioning system which withdraws coolant from a machine tool sump, filters solids from the coolant, removes tramp oil from the coolant, kills bacteria in the coolant, and returns the reconditioned coolant to the machine tool sump. The reconditioning system includes a separator tank having a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet, and a coalescer pack located between the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet to separate tramp oil from the coolant. An ozone generator is connected to the separator tank for dissolving ozone into the coolant to kill bacteria, yeast and fungus. An in-sump pickup includes a flexible intake hose connected to the separator tank coolant inlet, a suction nozzle having a generally rigid tube attached near an angled or fluted inlet end of the intake hose, and a ring-shaped float encircling the rigid tube. The float is arranged to provide the required amount of buoyancy necessary to float the suction nozzle near the surface of the coolant in the sump.

Abstract: A portable liquid surface skimmer efficiently removes small spills of petroleum derivatives from the surface of water, and is useful, for example, on thin sheen spills of oil or gasoline, in boating marinas. The skimmer is controlled by a long handle held by an operator, with a swivel connection to the skimmer body. The skimmer body is placed in the water empty, to take on a controlled amount of water as ballast, putting the skimmer at a proper level to skim the surface using a floating weir. A withdrawal conduit from the skimmer's sump leads to a storage tank or more preferably to some form of separator on shore or on a dock, for further separation of water from the contaminants. In one preferred form of the system and method, the skimmed oil/water mix is passed through a special filter medium which removes the petroleum sufficiently that the water can be returned to its source, eliminating the need for hauling large volumes of liquid away to a disposal site.

Abstract: A process for the recovery and purification of waste gelatin, especially from the manufacture of soft gelatin capsules includes the steps of effecting dissolution of the gelatin and other water-soluble components of the waste in a solvent such as deionized water such that a gelatin-containing solution dispersed within the remaining components of said waste is formed, permitting the dispersion to settle into an upper oil phase and a lower solvent based gelatin-containing solution phase, separating the lower phase from the upper phase, optionally hot filtering the lower phase to remove traces of the remaining components of the upper phase, and diafiltering the lower phase to remove the active ingredients, glycerin, and other water-soluble components and to provide a recycled gelatin solution.

Abstract: A method for recycling contaminated flush water from a wet electrostatic precipitator emission control system in a wood panel fabrication process. The recycled flush water containing solid byproducts from the emission control system is combined with wood products in a wood panel fabrication mix in a predetermined ratio of flush water to wood products, resulting in a finished wood panel having improved internal bond strengths and formaldehyde scavenging capacity without the need for excess binding resins and formaldehyde scavengers.