72301results about "Water contaminants" patented technology

The present invention is directed to various sets of unit operations for treating aqueous effluents and logic for designing and effecting the treatment. The unit operations include stabilization of subterranean waters, sequential oxidation steps to alter selected target materials, oxidation to break up emulsions prior to removal of the emulsion components, and intense oxidation to break up difficult-to-remove organic target materials.

An apparatus and method produces nitrate ions on-site from water, natural gas and air extracted in proximity to the apparatus. The apparatus generates nitrate ions and brings the nitrate ions into contact with an aqueous system. Hydrogen sulfide present in the aqueous system is removed and the production of hydrogen sulfide by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is eliminated by introducing into the system nitrate ions, whereby denitrifying microorganisms, using nitrate, outcompete the sulfate-reducing bacteria for the available carbon nutrients, thus preventing the SRB from producing hydrogen sulfide. Nitrate ions generated by the apparatus and added to the aqueous system which contains the denitrifying microorganisms can enhance oil recovery by means of microbial enhanced oil recovery mechanisms.

A process and system for purifying water is disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, the process may be used to remove a divalent salt, such as calcium sulfate, from a water source in order to prevent the divalent salt from precipitating during the process. The water source, for instance, may be fed to an ion separating device, such as an electrodialysis device. In the electrodialysis device, an ion exchange takes place between the divalent salt and another salt, such as a monovalent salt to produce two concentrated salt streams that contain salts having greater solubility in water than the divalent salt. In one embodiment, the two salt streams that are produced may then be combined to precipitate the divalent salt in a controlled manner. During the process, various other components contained within the water feed stream may also be removed from the stream and converted into useful products. In one particular embodiment, the process is configured to receive a byproduct stream from a reverse osmosis process.

The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for treating wastewater. The wastewater treatment system includes a bioreactor including activated carbon and a first biological population. The wastewater treatment system may also include a membrane bioreactor and / or a wet oxidation unit.

Methods are disclosed to de-sulfate saline streams such as seawater, brine from seawater desalination plants, and the like. The disclosed methods can also co-produce de-ionized water and inorganic materials from such de-sulfated saline streams.

An Ultraviolet-C (UVC) based portable water purification system employing a novel array of baffles increases the efficiency per unit energy of irradiating UVC light in the eradication of pathogens in the water. Closed loop feedback allows monitoring the application of UVC light power to ensure high levels of pathogen eradication. This system is capable of eradicating a wide range of waterborne bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminthes, yeast, and mold found in natural freshwater sources worldwide. By adding pre- or post-filters, the system can remove harmful organic compounds, pesticides, inorganic compounds and heavy metals from the water. The system can also be used to eradicate pathogens in fluids other than water. As a feature of this invention, a communications systems that can reach geographically dispersed populations at low cost without the need to install costly wired communications infrastructure is combined with and powered by the water purification system. In one embodiment, a packet radio system is provided to create nodes in a wireless mesh communications system to provide voice, data, video and internet communications using an array of the water purifiers to create a wireless mesh network.

A process for removing soluble and insoluble inorganic, organic, and microbiological contaminants from a fluid stream employing a pretreatment module, a post-treatment module, a recycle stream module or any combination thereof, and a membrane module, is provided. The process provided reduces the problems associated with membrane fouling and increases contaminant removal capacity.

A system and method for generating an oxygen enriched aqueous solution for therapeutic application includes a diffuser comprising a first diffusing member having a surface incorporating surface disturbances, and a second diffusing member positioned relative to the first diffusing member to form a channel through which an aqueous solution and oxygen gas may flow. A reservoir containing the aqueous solution is connected to a pump that draws the aqueous solution from the reservoir and inputs the aqueous solution into the diffuser. The aqueous solution is moved through the channel relative to the surface disturbances to create cavitation in the aqueous solution to diffuse the oxygen gas into the aqueous solution to produce an oxygen enriched aqueous solution.

The present invention provides a surface-independent surface-modifying multifunctional biocoating and methods of application thereof. The method comprises contacting at least a portion of a substrate with an alkaline solution comprising a surface-modifying agent (SMA) such as dopamine so as to modify the substrate surface to include at least one reactive moiety. In another version of the invention, a secondary reactive moiety is applied to the SMA-treated substrate to yield a surface-modified substrate having a specific functionality.

The present invention relates to carbon-carbon composite material comprising a carbonaceous carrier and nanosize carbon structures (e.g. CNT or CNF), wherein the nanosize carbon structures are grown on the carbonaceous carrier. The carrier may be porous, as in activated carbon or consists of carbon black particles. In accordance with the invention, nanocarbon growth in the pores of porous carriers can be realized. The process for the manufacture of a this carbon-carbon-composite material comprises the steps of treating a carbonaceous carrier material with a metal-containing catalyst material, said metal being capable of forming nanosize carbon structures, and growing nanosize carbon structures by means of a CVD (chemical vapour deposition) method on the treated carrier in a gas atmosphere comprising a carbon-containing gas, followed by an optional surface modification step. This process allows optimising porosity, hydrodynamical properties and surface chemistry independently from each other, which is particularly beneficial in respect of the use of the composite for water purification. Carbon black-based composites are particularly useful for filler applications.

Modified polysaccharide polymers for use as anti-scalant and dispersant. The polymers are useful in compositions used in aqueous systems. The modified polysaccharides are also useful in detergent formulations, water treatment, dispersants and oilfield applications and as fiberglass binders. Such applications include a modified polysaccharide having up to about 70 mole % carboxyl groups per mole of polysaccharide ASU and up to about 20 mole % aldehyde groups per mole of polysaccharide ASU. The applications can also include a blend of modified polysaccharides and other synthetic polymers.

Solutions containing microorganisms differing in characteristics from each other and living in symbiosis with each other and enzymes characterized by containing aerobic microorganisms, anaerobic microorganisms and at least one basidiomycete belonging to the family Pleurotaceae living in symbiosis, metabolites thereof and enzymes; carriers obtained by adsorbing the components of the above solutions onto finely ground carbonaceous materials; and porous materials obtained by adsorbing the components of the above solutions onto porous materials. Because of having various effects of absorbing, adsorbing and decomposing harmful matters, deodorizing, decolorizing, etc., these materials are applicable to various uses in the fields of agriculture and environment.

Several prototype systems are described for separating oil and water from emulsions. The systems operate at ultrasonic resonance and are thus low power. Each system contains one or more acoustic transducers operating in the 100 kHz to 5 MHz range. Each system contains flow input for the emulsion and two or more flow outputs for the separated oil and water. Existing prototypes operate from 200 mL / min to >15 L / min. Each uses low power in the range of 1-5 W.

The present invention discloses a desalination plant that operates with a sea water or brackish water feed and produces a concentrated and selectively improved salt reject stream and a pure water permeate stream from a first treatment section that is arranged to produce primarily water at high recovery using membrane desalination processes. The reject stream from the first treatment line has a component distribution that is substantially reduced in native di- and polyvalent scaling ions, essentially depleted of sulfate, has substantially higher total dissolved solids than a traditional sea water reverse osmosis reject, yet is suitable for thermal treatment processes. The system may be enhanced by monovalent salt components. The unit may be integrated with a second treatment section, in which the first reject stream is further concentrated, purified, and processed to produce a high purity salt product.

A method for removing a solute from a fluid using magnetically conditioned coagulation includes magnetically conditioning the fluid by applying a conditioning magnetic field to enhance the precipitation of solute particles for coagulation; adding a coagulant to the fluid before, during, or after application of the conditioning magnetic field to coagulate the increased available solute particles to form colloids; and collecting the colloids for removal from the fluid.

A method and device for the chemical conversion, filtration and / or purification of fluids water or other solutions containing microbiological and chemical contaminants, such as fluids containing arsenic, chlorine, bacteria, viruses, and cysts, where the fluid is passed through a purification material composed of fluid treatment carbon, metal phosphates, metal oxides, reduced metals, metal silicates, metal sulfates, metal carbonates, metal hydroxides, or combinations thereof. The material may be included in a fixed binder matrix.

Wastewater treatment systems and processes for: removal of solids, pathogens, nitrogen, and phosphorus from municipal and agricultural wastewater include nitrification of wastewater and increasing the pH of the nitrified wastewater by adding a metallic-containing salt and hydroxide to precipitate phosphorus to form a useable effluent having a specified nitrogen:phosphorus ratio that is useful as a fertilizer or spray for remediation of contaminated soils. The presence of infectious microorganism such as enteropathogenic bacteria and picarnoviruses will be reduced in the useable effluent. The precipitated phosphorus is recovered and used to form useable phosphorus products.

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for separating particles and dissolved matter from a produced water fluid stream. Specifically, the present invention includes a first pressure source which transports untreated produced water or contaminated aqueous fluid into a separator annulus with a filter element disposed therein. The untreated fluid is placed under appropriate pressure sufficient to produce turbulent flow, increased particle kinetics and / or cavitation allowing the desired fluid to penetrate and pass into and through the filter media. The treated fluid is then transported to a collection tank. The contaminant matter retained by the filter media may be removed by the nearly instantaneous reverse pressurization of the separator annulus by a second pressure source thereby removing the contaminant particles away from contact with the filter media, and which may then be transported to a waste collection tank or a separator for further treatment.

A wastewater treatment system is provided including an aerobic membrane bioreactor and an anaerobic digester system connected to receive wasted solids continuously from the aerobic membrane bioreactor and also connected to return effluent from the anaerobic digester system continuously to the aerobic membrane bioreactor. Further, a process is provided for treating wastewater including the step of wasting a volume fraction of organic cell mass from an aerobic membrane bioreactor to an anaerobic digester system and maintaining a solids retention time (SRT) in the bioreactor that is (1) greater than a time needed to achieve growth of organisms suitable for converting carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) into cell mass and (2) less than a time at which substantial decay of the organisms occurs. The system and process may further include optional pretreatment and / or phosphorus and / or nitrogen removal downstream of the membrane bioreactor system.

An integrated process for treating alkaline wash water effluent from nitroaromatic manufacture, principally containing nitro-hydroxy-aromatic compounds is described. The integrated process concentrates the alkaline wash water to recover chemicals and water prior to treating the concentrate through supercritical water oxidation. The supercritical water oxidation step consists of treating the concentrate in the presence of an oxygen source at conditions, which are supercritical for water to cause a substantial portion of the organic component of the concentrate to oxidize. The product effluent includes a gaseous component and a clean water component, and in the event that insoluble ash is formed, an ash component. The new integrated process results in reduced chemical and water consumption compared to existing processes. In addition, the treated wash water effluent can be recycled to process or directly discharged.

A method and device for the chemical conversion, filtration and / or purification of fluids water or other solutions containing microbiological and chemical contaminants, such as fluids containing arsenic, chlorine, bacteria, viruses, and cysts, where the fluid is passed through a purification material composed of fluid treatment carbon, metal phosphates, metal oxides, reduced metals, metal silicates, metal sulfates, metal carbonates, metal hydroxides, or combinations thereof. The material may be included in a fixed binder matrix.

The invention relates to a method and system for treating an aqueous liquid containing dissolved minerals and dissolved hydrocarbons. Method steps and apparatus for treating a waste water feed stream are disclosed which utilize a warm lime softening system in fluid communication with the waste water feed stream, wherein sludge from the warm lime softening system is recycled to improve lime utilization and enhance silica and boron removal without the addition of an external source of magnesium. In addition, a microfiltration system and / or an air stripper system may be used in fluid communication with at least one reverse osmosis system to produce a treatment water that meets state and federal guidelines for surface discharge.

The invention discloses a particle electrode for efficiently removing various organic compounds and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method comprises the following steps of adding AgNO3 to isopropanol to obtain a solution A, adding treated Al2O3 to the solution A, filtering the solution to obtain a particle B and micro-emulsion X, and obtaining a particle D after washing the particle B with ethanol; adding the particle D to X to obtain a particle F after filtration; utilizing Ce(NO3)2, NiCl2, CuCl2, isopropanol and concentrated hydrochloric acid to prepare solutions B, C, D, E and F; adding the particle F to the solution B to obtain a particle I through filtration; adding the particle I to the solution C to obtain a particle J through filtration, washing the particle J with ethanol, and drying the particle J, thus obtaining a particle K; adding the particle K to the solution D to obtain a particle L through filtration, washing the particle L with ethanol, and drying the particle L, thus obtaining a particle M; adding M to E to obtain a particle N through filtration, washing the particle N with ethanol, and drying the particle N, thus obtaining a particle O; adding the particle O to the solution F to obtain a particle P through filtration, washing the particle P with ethanol, and drying and roasting the particle P for four hours, thus obtaining the needed particle electrode.

An economical, integrated system works in series with anaerobic digestion of animal waste to recover nitrogen and phosphorous, while also scrubbing the produced biogas.

A process for the production of purified water and hydrocarbons comprising at least one stage of separation of the water and hydrocarbons formed during a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, at least one stage of purification of the separated water by bringing it into contact with at least one adsorbent selected from the group consisting of: the active carbons, clays which are hydrophobic or rendered hydrophobic, and zeolites which are hydrophobic or rendered hydrophobic. This process may optionally include a stripping stage before the adsorption step.

A method for demulsifying water-oil emulsions through ultrasonic action, comprises a step of making the water-oil emulsions flow through at least one ultrasonic acting region in a flow direction, wherein: within the ultrasonic acting region, a concurrent ultrasonic wave whose traveling direction is the same as the flow direction of the water-oil emulsions is generated by at least a one first ultrasonic transducer provided at the upstream end of the ultrasonic acting region, and at same time, a countercurrent ultrasonic wave whose traveling direction is opposite to the flow direction of the water-oil emulsions is generated by at least a one second ultrasonic transducer provided at the downstream end of the ultrasonic acting region; and the concurrent ultrasonic wave and the countercurrent ultrasonic wave act simultaneously on the water-oil emulsions which flow through the ultrasonic acting region, so as to demulsify the water-oil emulsions. After being demulsified, the water-oil emulsions gravity settle and separate, or settle and separate under an electric field, so as to be dewatered. The present invention can apply to various water-oil separating technologies in the procedures from mining to processing of crude oil.