Abstract: Production brines are used to scrub a horizontal stack receiving exhaust from an energy source, controlling, reducing, or both noxious chemicals. Mutual remediation of flows from petroleous production cool and scrub exhausts from flares burning waste hydrocarbons, heaters lowering viscosity of crude oil, engines driving oil pumps or natural gas compressors, and the like. Resulting evaporation of production brines results in distilled water, more concentrated brines to reduce hauling, or, optionally, dehydrated dry waste minerals from the brines. Year-round operation of brine evaporation ponds is facilitated, and may be another source of process pre-heating.

Abstract: A method of removing mercury from flue gases from combustion plants, such as for example power plants or waste incineration plants, is achieved in which mercury-containing flue gases are brought into contact with an adsorption reagent either directly or indirectly by being contained in an absorption reagent, whereby mercury is substantially adsorbed by the adsorption reagent during this contact. After adsorption has occurred the adsorption reagent is separated from the flue gases and subsequently from the absorption reagent and added to an aqueous solution containing an oxidizing agent, whereby the adsorbed mercury dissolves as Hg2+. The Hg2+-containing solution is subsequently separated from the adsorption agent and the Hg2+ then is removed from the solution. This method enables the mercury to be removed from flue gas in a simple and economical manner.

Abstract: A solid is separated from a gas scrubber by collecting a solids burden not collected at a solids-collection device of a flue gas desulfurization system by adding at least one flocculant, flocculation aid or mixtures thereof, while using a separating device; wherein te flue-gas desulfurization system contains at least one absorption device disposed downstream from said solids-collection device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for removing coarse solids and fine solids from a gas, which includes wetting the coarse solids and fine solids in a first chamber thereby separating the coarse solids and fine solids from the gas. The first chamber also contains liquid to cool the coarse solids and the fine solids. The coarse solids and fine solids are routed to a liquid-filled second chamber where the coarse solids settle to the bottom. The liquid in the second chamber, still containing the fine solids is flushed into a third chamber where the fine solids are separated from the liquid. The separated fine solids and coarse solids are then routed to a fourth chamber.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for purifying combustion gases, especially combustion gases exhausted from maritime diesel engines and combustion gases produced by power plants situated near the seaside, of impurities contained in the combustion gases. The apparatus comprises a scrubber device (10) for scrubbing the combustion gases and a droplet separator device (20) for separating scrubbing liquid droplets from the outflowing purified combustion gas flow (D). The scrubber device (10) comprises an inflow duct (13) for conveying an overpressurised combustion gas flow (A) containing impurities into the scrubber device (10) and means (16,17,18) for passing seawater used as scrubbing liquid into the scrubber device (10). At least the scrubbing liquid flowing out of the scrubber device (10) has been fitted to flow into the flotation device (30) for the separation of soot particles, oil and other possible solid impurity particles contained in the scrubbing liquid from the scrubbing liquid.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for separating liquids and particulate from a flowing gas stream include a separation vessel containing a liquid injector, an impingement separator or a helical impingement separator, and a waste liquid recovery tank. Separated liquid and particulate collect in a sump, flow into a recovery tank, and may be filtered in a side stream duplex filter circuit for return into the recovery tank and re-injection into the separation vessel. The helical separator element has outwardly extending helical fins that form helical gas channels. The interior of the channels forms a rounded radius and opposing vertical edges of the channels include chamfers. The lower end of the helical separator element forms a concave, generally conical surface. The helical fins form a first impingement separator and the chamfers form a second vane-type impingement separator, such that particulate and liquids may be removed from the gas stream at varying flow rates and liquid/particulate densities.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a plant for processing a gas by means of a glycol solution wherein a feed comprising a gas, a glycol, water and salts is subjected to a first stage (5) of separating the gas from a liquid effluent and said liquid effluent is subjected to a dehydration stage (14) to recover a dehydrated liquid effluent, characterized in that the salts contained in the liquid effluent, dehydrated or not, are eliminated in a membrane separation stage (10) by means of a driving force generated by mechanical pressure difference on either side of a membrane of pore size ranging between 5 and 100 Angstrom. The invention also relates to the use of the method and of the plant for regeneration of a liquid compound of the glycol family used for hydrate formation prevention when using a natural gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering pure naphthalene from hot crude coke oven gas. The hot crude coke oven gas is directly cooled by means of sprinkling water directly thereon, and the naphthalene is recovered by subsequent filtering out of tar and other impurities, followed by cooling to obtain crystalline pure naphthalene. More specifically, after direct cooling of the hot crude coke oven gas, the gas is then guided through an electrofilter to be subsequently cooled in such a manner that the naphthalene contained in the crude coke oven gas is separated from the gaseous phase and is obtained in the form of pure naphthalene crystals without any required additional treatment.

Abstract: A system for removing at least one pollutant from an air stream exhaust, the system including a plurality of enclosures through which the air stream exhaust is directed to cool the air stream exhaust, a plurality of barriers within each respective enclosure to impede a flow of the air stream exhaust, a liquefied material, comprising bone glue, gelatin and/or skin glue, mixed with water provided within at least one of the plurality of enclosures, and wherein the air stream exhaust passes therethrough the liquefied material and at least one pollutant attaches to the liquefied material.

Abstract: A method for urging contact between contaminants in an air stream and the wet surfaces of an aqueous-froth, and additional means of limiting the froth to a predetermined volume are provided. A wide spectrum of solution micro-droplet sizes (0.001 to 1000 micron) is introduced into a contaminated air stream. Micro-droplets suspended in the air stream remove contaminants by contact, collide and coalesce in the dynamics of the air stream and are removed by inertia. Smaller micro-droplets remain suspended in the air stream. The smallest micro-droplets evaporate, increasing the solution vapor pressure of the air stream. The humidified or saturated, contaminated air stream continuously expands the surface area of the solution reservoir exponentially into an aqueous froth of tiny bubbles. Airflow velocity drops in the micro-atmosphere inside each bubble of the froth.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is provided a method of binding a gas or volatile compound in a cucurbituril, by contacting the gas or volatile compound with the cucurbituril to form a cucurbituril-gas/volatile complex. There is also provided a method of separating a gas or volatile compound from a mixture of compounds wherein the mixture is contacted with a cucurbituril and whereby at least some of the gas or volatile compound is bound to the cucurbituril to form a cucurbituril complex, followed by the release of at least some of the bound gas or volatile compound from that complex. The present invention is thus advantageous in that it allows use of cucurbiturils in binding gases and volatile compounds for storage, safety, delivery or other uses, such as the trapping of an unpleasant or toxic gas or volatile compound.

Abstract: A method of removing hydrogen sulphide from a gas stream wherein the hydrogen sulphide is scrubbed from the gas phase by an aqueous solution, the hydrogen sulphide in the aqueous solution is biologically oxidized in a bioreactor to produce elemental sulphur, and the elemental sulphur is separated from the aqueous solution, characterized in that the gas stream to be treated is cooled to such a degree that at least sufficient water vapour condenses from the gas stream to compensate for the discharge stream for the purpose of removing salts. This means that no water need be supplied to the bioreactor. This method is suitable, in particular, for gas streams which contain hydrogen sulphide, the hydrogen sulphide having been obtained by catalytic conversion of sulphur compounds.

Abstract: A process and system for producing fertilizers with reduced levels of contaminants, and particularly a flue gas scrubbing process and facility that produce a fertilizer byproduct which is treated to remove heavy metals originally present in the scrubbed flue gas. The process entails contacting a flue gas with a scrubbing solution to remove acidic gases and produce a byproduct containing a fertilizer compound precipitate and dissolved metals and/or metal compounds. A fertilizer solution containing dissolved fertilizer and dissolved metals and/or metal compounds is then produced by adding water to the byproduct, after which the pH of the fertilizer solution is adjusted one or more times with a gaseous and/or liquid alkali to form precipitates of one or more metal species. The precipitates are then removed from the fertilizer solution and the solution dewatered to yield a fertilizer product with lower contaminant levels.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a method of treating wash water resulting from the scrubbing of process gases in smelting plants, according to which method the wash water is brought into intimate contact with the process gas and is circulated when the solids have been deposited. The method according to the invention draws off a partial flow from the wash water, mixes it with fresh water and uses it for rewashing the process gas. According to the invention, the wash water necessary for the scrubbers is drawn from a wash water container. In the sedimentation tank the insoluble portions are removed from the substance-charged wash water which is then introduced into the wash water container. The wash water required for the rewashing stage is removed from the wash water container and mixed with fresh water via the fresh water pipe.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a water-based paint recycling method with which there is no need to set up the water-based paint application booth close to the condensing separator, which affords greater freedom in installation. The present invention is a water-based paint recycling method in which, in a water-based paint application booth in the bottom of which booth water is pooled, the paint mist produced when a-water-based paint is applied is trapped by this booth water, the booth water containing this trapped paint mist is treated by the condensing separator, and the resulting concentrate and filtrate are reused, wherein this water-based paint recycling method is characterized in that the water-based paint application booth and the condensing separator are independent, not being connected by piping.

Abstract: Process for the removal of metal cabonyls before regeneration of a desulfurization wash liquid, which includes removing a part of the carbon monoxide from the wash liquid, conversion of the metal carbonyls to metal sulfides, passing the wash liquid through a reaction and settling zone, removing metal sulfide-containing sludge from the reaction and settling zone, and regenerating the wash liquid.

Abstract: A system and process for agglomerating and processing carbonaceous fines is provided. The process includes powdering the carbonaceous fines, mixing the powdered carbonaceous fines with an organic liquid creating a slurry, adding a predetermined amount of an aqueous electrolyte to the slurry creating agglomerated particles, settling the large agglomerated particles resulting in a settled mixture of agglomerated coal fines and reagent liquor, and separating the agglomerated coal fines from the reagent liquor.

Abstract: A Method for purifying gas loaded with dust particles of various sizes, which method includes the following steps: (a) the gas loaded with dust particles is subjected to wet gas scrubbing at or above the dew point, during which operation any acid gaseous components present in the gas are absorbed and the major proportion of coarse dust particles having a size of ≧50 &mgr;m is removed by a scrubbing liquid, after which (b) the remaining dust particles present in the gas are collected at or above the dew point in an installation for removing dust from gas, purified gas being obtained.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering germanium from a gaseous mixture which includes a germanium-containing compound in vapor or particulate form, acid in vapor form, and water vapor. The gaseous mixture is contacted with a liquid containing water under conditions effective to dissolve the germanium-containing compound in the liquid. The acidity of the resulting liquid mixture is increased under conditions effective to vaporize the germanium-containing compound. The vaporized germanium-containing compound is contacted with one or more aqueous solutions under conditions effective to dissolve and precipitate the germanium-containing compound in at least one of the one or more aqueous solutions, and the resulting precipitate is separated from the at least one of the one or more aqueous solutions. The methods described herein are particularly well suited for recovering germanium from the waste gases produced during optical waveguide manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Method for purifying gas loaded with dust particles of various sizes, which method comprises the following steps:

Abstract: The exhaust gas enters via an exhaust gas line into a washing apparatus. In the washing apparatus solid matter particles are predominantly separated. The pre-washed exhaust gas flows from the washing apparatus through a droplet removing conduit to a trickling filter device in order to be subjected to an activated sludge treatment for the separating of gaseous contaminants. In order to reduce the point of condensation and accordingly the absolute humidity of the exhaust gas for the activated sludge treatment either fresh air is added through a feed line to the pre-washed exhaust gas or the washing water which is led in a closed circuit through the washing water line of the washing apparatus is cooled in a heat exchanger in a cooling tower. A portion of the washing water of the washing apparatus is led through a first solid matter removing apparatus of which a portion of the filtrate is led to an activated sludge basin located under the trickling filter device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which continuously filters scrubbed gases prior to emission to the atmosphere. In particular, the method and apparatus can continuously scrub the effluent stream from a chemical vapor deposition process, such as the process used to deposit epitaxial silicon. In order to provide this continuous scrubbing, a separation housing having a filter housing is provided that permits the filter to be replaced during and without interruption of the scrubbing and filtering process. The filter housing can define a pair of tracks that guide the insertion and removal of a filter such that inserting a clean filter into one end of the pair of tracks causes a spent filter to be pushed out of the opposed end of the tracks as the clean filter is slid down the tracks.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating the scrubbing water from the gas scrubbing process in an iron ore reduction plant. The scrubbing water is brought into direct contact with the gas in two gas scrubbers arranged in two successive scrubbing stages at the gas-side, is withdrawn from the gas scrubbers and is supplied again to the gas scrubbers after the solids it contains are separated, and after it is treated and cooled. The scrubbing water is separately withdrawn from the two scrubbing stages and only the scrubbing water from the first scrubbing stage is largely freed from solids in a thickener, then led into a warm water container. The scrubbing water from the second scrubbing stage is directly led into a return water container in which it releases carbon dioxide-rich flash gas led into the scrubbing water in the warm water container to enrich it with carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for reducing iron containing contaminants from a process stream of amine used for acid gas stripping by passing the process stream of amine adjacent a magnet sufficient to extract at least a portion of the iron containing contaminants from the process stream of amine, and an apparatus for removing iron containing contaminants from a process stream of amine used to strip acid gases from said amine in a cyclic flowpath having a main source of a process stream of amine, a conduit for containing the flow of a slipstream of the main source of the process stream of amine, a magnet adjacent the conduit sufficient to extract at least a portion of the iron containing contaminants from the process stream of amine, a filter for removing particulates from the slipstream upstream of the magnet, a filter for removing particulates from the slipstream downstream of the magnet, and a conduit for returning the slipstream to the main source of a process stream of amine with a reduced iron containing contaminant conten

Abstract: A scrubbing tower and high pressure settler assembly, and the process for using same to remove particulates from a hot partial oxidation gas stream is disclosed. The scrubbing tower and high pressure settler assembly has a dip tube, a bottom portion, a top portion, and a high pressure settler. The dip tube transports partial oxidation gas from an injection point on the exterior of the scrubbing tower into a volume of water contained in the bottom portion of the scrubbing tower. A blowdown port capable of removing particulate matter is connected to the bottom portion of the assembly. A series of trays is provided in the top portion of the scrubbing tower. The top portion of the scrubbing tower also has inlet ports for receiving water and an outlet port for releasing the scrubbed partial oxidation gas. The use of the high pressure settler facilitates higher particulate settling rates as well as higher scrubbing efficiencies.

Abstract: A gas cleaning apparatus is disclosed which comprises a housing having an inlet adjacent a bottom portion thereof and an outlet adjacent a top portion thereof. The housing preferably has at least one radially-extending vane disposed along a longitudinal axis of the housing. A settling tank is fluidly connected at a top portion thereof to the base of the housing, at least one outlet fluidly connected to a waste treatment apparatus, and at least one outlet fluidly connected to the housing between the inlet and the outlet of the housing. The waste treatment apparatus preferably has at least one outlet fluidly connected to the housing between the inlet and the outlet of the housing.

Abstract: An air cleaner for efficiently providing clean air for a structure is comprised of a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port. At least one air chamber having a liquid reservoir at its base is disposed within the housing. A fan draws air through the intake port and the air passes in turn through each liquid reservoir and then its air chamber and discharges the air through the exhaust port. A switch controls the fan and is turned off whenever the liquid level within the device is improper with the device having a flush valve for discharging exhaust liquid and a liquid fill valve for introduction of liquid.

Abstract: Sour natural gas, containing H.sub.2 S and organic sulfide contaminants, is contacted with a sweetening composition comprising an aqueous solution of a substantially equimolar mixture of OCl and HO.sub.2. (preferably NaOCl and NaOOH) for a time sufficient to oxidize the sulfides to an odorless form. The solution has a pH of 9.0-10.5, an oxidation normality of 0.001-0.1. The solution may be produced by mixing Cl.sub.2 into a dilute aqueous solution of NaOH at about pH 10.5 until the pH reaches a level of about 9.5-10.5, or produced electrochemically in a diaphragm cell having a bipolar electrode in the same compartment as the anode, collecting the effluent gas from the cell and absorbing said effluent gas into a dilute aqueous solution of NaOH at about pH 9.5-10.5. The treatment may be run as an adjunct to a metal chelate redox treatment to improve the oxidation by the redox catalyst and to improve the catalyst regeneration.

Abstract: A sewage purification method which includes a first step in which at least two kinds of flocculants are introduced in sewage for stirring and mixing therewith so as to float and settle inorganic and organic materials. The first step is sequentially repeated more than one time. Next, at least three kinds of flocculants are introduced into the supernatant obtained in the first step for stirring and mixing therewith so as to further float and settle remaining inorganic and organic materials. At least one of the first and second steps is sequentially repeated more than one time. In the above way, middle water, drinking water and super-pure water can be obtained from sewage. Purification of exhaust gas is also possible by introducing such exhaust gas in one of the above steps.

Abstract: A water treatment system and process separates contaminants from water by flotation, by forming a removable floating scum of impurities utilizing a bubbling process, by filtering out suspended solids, by stripping dissolved impurities from the water with air, by oxidizing organic compounds, by adsorbing organic compounds, and finally, by disinfecting. Utilization of the disclosed process and system will transform contaminated water into an environmentally suitable state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recycling the bottoms product from an absorber tower back to the absorber tower. However, before the bottoms product is returned to the tower, the solid particles entrained therein are removed via one or more centrifuges closely coupled to the absorber tower. These centrifuges are located adjacent the tower and are elevated with respect to the tower such that their centrate can be directly returned or delivered back to the absorber tower via gravity.

Abstract: Air containing foreign particles is admitted into a cylindrical portable housing at the input end and cleaned air is discharged from the outlet end. A liquid supply has an open bath at the bottom of the housing. A source of liquid is controlled to supply liquid to the bath upon the level of the liquid falling below a predetermined magnitude. A spray sprays liquid from the bath into the housing, whereby foreign particles in the air entering the housing are coated with the liquid. Air entering the housing throws the liquid-coated particles onto a helical vane affixed in the housing. The particles are dispersed by the vane and helical ribbons mounted on the vane. A rotary vane has a plurality of blades mounted for rotation within the helical ribbons, and the blades collect and coalesce liquid mists on their surfaces.

Abstract: To purify smoke from a liquid fuel (in particular heavy fuel oil) boiler by eliminating unwanted components including acids, the smoke, before it is exhausted to the atmosphere, is caused to pass along a vertical path in a heat exchanger adapted to recover the latent heat of condensible components together with the substantive heat of the smoke. Water is sprayed at the top of the vertical path and collected at the bottom in the form of an effluent comprising the water, condensates and soot. A reserve water supply is provided. Water is fed from this reserve supply to the top of the heat exchanger where it is sprayed after adding to it an alkaline solution in sufficient quantity to neutralize acid components of the smoke. The effluent is recovered at the bottom of the heat exchanger. An effective dose of a floculating agent is added to it. The effluent is fed into a settling tank where is separates into a soot sludge and a clarified effluent which is fed to the reserve water supply.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming sheets of a first material, such as a metal, plastic, rubber, or the like, having a primary tank for heating a second molten material and containing the second molten material to form a surface upon which the first material is floated in a molten state. The temperature of the second molten material is maintained below the melting temperature of the first molten material, and the second molten material has a higher specific gravity than the first molten material. Thus, the first molten material floats upon the surface of the second molten material while it solidifies into a sheet of material, which is then withdrawn from the surface of the second molten material. A hood is disposed over the primary tank to remove fumes and vapors which, when removed, are discharged into water where they condense.