87 results about "Inorganic contaminants" patented technology

A method of cleaning and treating a device, including those of the micromechanical (10) and semiconductor type. The surface of a device, such as the landing electrode (22) of a digital micromirror device (10), is first cleaned with a supercritical fluid (SCF) in a chamber (50) to remove soluble chemical compounds, and then maintained in the SCF chamber until and during the subsequent passivation step. Passivants including PFDA and PFPE are suitable for the present invention. By maintaining the device in the SCF chamber, and without exposing the device to, for instance, the ambient of a clean room, organic and inorganic contaminants cannot be deposited upon the cleaned surface prior to the passivation step. The present invention derives technical advantages by providing an improved passivated surface that is suited to extend the useful operation life of devices, including those of the micromechanical type, reducing stiction forces between contacting elements such as a mirror and its landing electrode. The present invention is also suitable for cleaning and passivating other surfaces including a surface of semiconductor wafers, and the surface of a hard disk memory drive.

The present invention provides a system and method for selectively removing organic and inorganic contaminants from plating baths. More particularly, the invented method relates to the use of a source of energy in combination with chemical oxidants, alone or in conjunction with a catalyst to oxidize organic contaminants in the plating bath to a level such that the electroplating bath can be recovered and reused after appropriate chemical adjustment. The oxidative treatment method may be a continuous process or a batch process that is performed in a single pass and the endpoint of the oxidative process detected by a sensor. Residual organics, and chloride ions in the bath are removed from the solution by a chemisorption or physisorption treatment. Inorganic contaminants are removed from the electroplating bath by selective ion exchange resins or electrodialysis, while particulate and suspended colloidal particles are removed by filtration before the treated plating bath is recycled.

In general, the purpose of the probe system is to provide improved rapid field methods using re-designed direct push technology (DPT) and “push-pull testing” concepts to evaluate in situ chemical, biochemical, surfactant, adsorptive media, and leaching and fixation remediation technologies for hazardous subsurface contaminant(s). The probe system and methods described here when applied to a hazardous waste site being considered for in situ remediation of contaminants (organic or inorganic) by the listed treatment technologies will yield information that greatly reduces the uncertainty with regards to treatment effectiveness for the in situ soil, groundwater, and contaminant(s) conditions affecting dosage requirements and reaction rate(s) for various reactants. The probe system described here is multi-purpose in that it was designed: 1) to measure the relative permeability of the subsurface soil and groundwater to a liquid or gas ejectant, 2) to recover soil gas, soil, or groundwater samples for contaminant analyses, 3) to measure the chemical dosage and reaction, dissolution, adsorption, desorption, leaching, or fixation rate of a reactant such as a chemical or biochemical oxidant, metallic or bimetallic dehalogenating agent, surfactant or emulsifier solution, adsorbent media regenerant, leaching or fixation reagent that is injected into the matrix and withdrawn during a push-pull test, 4) to perform combinations of the above, 5) to measure the in situ adsorption capacity of adsorbent media and subsequently measure the effectiveness of regenerant(s) for the adsorbent media, and (6) to measure the effectiveness of a treated soil column for inorganic contaminant(s) leaching or fixation. In addition to being an in situ remedial alternatives evaluation tool, the probe system can be used as a reactant(s) delivery device after the specific remedial technology has been selected.

A method for preparing highly stabilized and dispersible zero valent iron nanoparticles and using the nanoparticles as a remediation technology against inorganic chemical toxins in contaminated sites. The method employs a composition containing select polysaccharides (starch or cellulose) as a stabilizer for the iron nanoparticles in a liquid carrier, and results in suspensions of iron nanoparticles of desired size and mobility in water, brine, soils or sediments. The stabilizer facilitates controlling the dispersibility of the iron nanoparticles in the liquid carrier. An effective amount of the composition is delivered to a contaminated site so that the zero valent iron nanoparticles can remediate one or more toxins such as an arsenate, a nitrate, a chromate, or a perchlorate in the contaminated site.

The present invention provides a system and method for selectively removing one or more organic and also preferably one or more inorganic contaminants from plating baths. More particularly, the invented method relates to the use of a source of energy in combination with chemical oxidants, alone or in conjunction with a catalyst to oxidize organic contaminants in the plating bath to a level such that the electroplating bath can be recovered and reused after appropriate chemical adjustment. The oxidative treatment method may be a continuous process or a batch process that is performed in a single pass and the endpoint of the oxidative process detected by a sensor. Residual organics, if desired, and chloride ions in the bath are removed from the solution by a chemisorption or physisorption treatment. Inorganic contaminants are removed from the electroplating bath by selective ion exchange resins or electrodialysis, while particulate and suspended colloidal particles are removed by filtration before the treated plating bath is recycled.

The present invention relates to a purified, easily produced poly-beta-1->4-N-acetylglucosamine (p-GlcNAc) polysaccharide species. The p-GlcNAc of the invention is a polymer of high molecular weight whose constituent monosaccharide sugars are attached in a beta-1->4 conformation, and which is free of proteins, and substantially free of single amino acids, and other organic and inorganic contaminants. In addition, derivatives and reformulations of p-GlcNAc are described. The present invention further relates to methods for the purification of the p-GlcNAc of the invention from microalgae, preferably diatom, starting sources. Still further, the invention relates to methods for the derivatization and reformulation of the p-GlcNAc. Additionally, the present invention relates to the uses of pure p-GlcNAc, its derivatives, and/or its reformulations.

A method for producing a surface-activated crystalline titanium oxide product having a high adsorptive capacity and a high rate of adsorption with respect to dissolved contaminants includes the steps of preparing a titanium oxide precipitate from a mixture comprising a hydrolysable titanium compound and heating the precipitate at a temperature of less than 300° C., without calcining the precipitate. Preferably, the titanium oxide product includes crystalline anatase having primary crystallite diameters in the range of 1-30 nm. The surface-activated crystalline titanium oxide product is used in methods to remove dissolved inorganic contaminants from dilute aqueous streams by suspending the product in an aqueous stream or by filtering an aqueous stream through a bed of the product. In another method, a hydrolysable titanium compound is added to an aqueous stream so that titanium oxides form as a co-precipitate with dissolved contaminants within a bed of particulate material.

The present invention provides a system and method for selectively removing one or more organic and inorganic and also preferably one or more inorganic contaminants from plating baths. More particularly, the invented method relates to the use of a source of energy in combination with chemical oxidants, alone or in conjunction with a catalyst to oxidize organic contaminants in the plating bath to a level such that the electroplating bath can be recovered and reused after appropriate chemical adjustment. The oxidative treatment method may be a continuous process or a batch process that is performed in a single pass. Residual organics, if desired and chloride ions in the bath are removed from the solution by a chemisorption or physisorption treatment. Inorganic contaminants are removed from the electroplating bath by selective ion exchange resins or electrodialysis, while particulate and suspended colloidal particles are removed by filtration before the treated plating bath is recycled.

A method and apparatus for determining the effect of various agents on the growth of biological material (biofilm), microbially-influenced corrosion and the deposition of organic and inorganic contaminants is disclosed. The method and apparatus allow for the modeling of the growth of biological contaminants and the deposition of organic and inorganic materials on industrial equipment surfaces, such as those used in the pulp and papermaking industry. The device consists of a tray which includes recessed areas for receiving coupons, as well as fluid inlets and fluid outlets for permitting the flow of liquid samples over the coupons. The design and configuration of the apparatus provides a great deal of versatility in testing various biocidal and other agents under select environmental conditions.

A system for reducing biological organisms in a liquid effluent to non-viable organic molecules that includes: a stunning chamber that applies a voltage potential across biological organisms to break cell membranes and disable the defense mechanisms of vital organisms to ultraviolet radiation; a cavitation chamber to physically destroy any remaining membranes of biologicals in the effluent that may play host to vital organisms or allow such to hide therein, the action of the stunning and cavitation chambers releasing interferons; and a molecularly implanted stimulated emitter (MISE) chamber in which high levels of ultraviolet radiation are applied to virions and spores that remain at frequencies that are readily absorbed and operate to disassociate any viable DNA and RNA strands remaining, to thereby cause "death". Prior to the stunning chamber, preferably the effluent has any large solids therein, settled, floated or filtered out. When potable water is to be produced, heavy metals and other common inorganic contaminants are also removed. The resulting effluent is pulsed through the stunning, cavitation, and MISE chambers to gain maximum effect thereof. Once the DNA and RNA strands have been disassociated in the MISE chamber, the environment of the downstream flow is controlled to prevent reassociation of organic molecules into viable DNA or RNA strands by either diluting the output of the MISE chamber to such an extent that organic molecules are unlikely to recombine, or when drinking water is to be produced, by filtering the organic filtering the organic molecules out for cosmetic purposes.

A process and apparatus for removing organic and inorganic contaminants from solid media such as drill cuttings, tank bottoms or contaminated soils. The process is conducted in at least one thermal screw conveyor which provides two or more separate temperature zones which can be operated as one or more of low temperature thermal desorption, high temperature thermal desorption and pyrolysis. Preferably the process is conducted in three interconnected thermal screw conveyors which each provide a separate temperature zone. The process is conducted such that the solid media in each of the temperature zones is held under a vacuum. Direct and indirect heating of the solid media in each of the temperature zones is provided. In the pyrolysis zone, an organic binder may be added to encapsulate inorganic contaminants such as metals.

A method of creating a cationic molecularly imprinted polymer bead that can bind inorganic target compounds is disclosed and described. The cationic molecularly imprinted polymer bead can be formed by complexing a target compound with a cationic ligand, polymerizing the cationic ligands to form the bead, and then extracting the target compound from the bead. The cationic ligand complex can have an octanol water partition coefficient of about 1 to about 10. The cationic molecularly imprinted polymer bead can have a porous structure containing a plurality of complexing cavities for selectively bind specific target compounds for removal from potable water, mine effluent, industrial effluent, or other fluids.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising semi-crystalline beta-1-4-N-acetylglucosamine polymers (p-GlcNac) and methods utilizing such polymers modulation of vascular structure and/or function. The compositions and methods disclosed are useful for stimulating, in a p-GlcNac concentration-dependent manner, endothelin-1 release, vasoconstriction, and/or reduction in blood flow out of a breached vessel, as well as for contributing to or effecting cessation of bleeding. The methods of the present invention comprise topical administration of materials comprising semi-crystalline p-GlcNac polymers that are free of proteins, and substantially free of single amino acids as well as other organic and inorganic contaminants, and whose constituent monosaccharide sugars are attached in a beta-1-4 conformation.

A method for reducing inorganic contaminant levels during supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) is provided. The method utilizes a fluidized bed reactor wherein inorganic contaminants in the water precipitate out onto the catalyst. The clean water is reclaimed after oxidation of organic contaminants and reduction of inorganic contaminant levels.

The main purpose of the present invention is to provide solid-chemical compositions and methods and means for their use which specifically: (1) provide for a sustained release of active oxygen and complex inorganic phosphates; and (2) create, enhance, and maintain oxidizing and aerobic conditions which favor non-exothermic, chemical-oxidation processes and aerobic bioremediation and fungal bioremediation processes. The present invention discloses advanced solid-chemical compositions and methods for the non-exothermic chemical oxidation and aerobic and fungal biodegradation of organic compounds and certain inorganic contaminants which may be present in solid and liquid wastes, sludges, leachates, acid-mine drainages, waste waters, soils, sediments, ground waters, surface waters, and other environmental media. The preferred embodiments of the disclosed solid-chemical compositions are prepared and used in the forms of granules, briquettes, tablets, capsules, pellets, and the like, which among other advantages, are easier to handle and apply under typical field conditions. These preferred forms of the disclosed chemical compositions can be made to disintegrate subsequent to their application and/or upon contact with water in a significant and predictable manner via relatively minor variations in their formulation and manufacture. This improved functionality enables the time-dependent release profile(s) of the active-oxygen sources and other ingredients to be varied so as to optimize the remediation of contaminants based on site-specific factors or factors pertaining to the specific waste-stream, media and/or the contaminants therein. Organic contaminants which can be treated using this invention include many different types of petroleum products, and more recalcitrant contaminants such as PCBs, PAHs and pesticides can be degraded by using the disclosed compositions and methods to stimulate fungal biodegradation processes. This invention can also be used to treat inorganic contaminants such as the acids and metals present in acid-mine drainage (AMD).

A method for removing contaminants from fluids comprises contacting the fluid with an expanded material selected from popped corn, puffed rice and puffed wheat. The preferred expanded material is popped corn. The method is applicable to a wide range of organic and inorganic contaminants. Examples of contaminants include aromatic compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo furans (PCDFs), polychlorinated dibenzo dioxins (PCDDs), carbamates, sulphonamides, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), other compounds such as carbon disulphide, ethylene glycol and pesticides. Other examples include inorganic compounds or organo-metallic compounds, e.g. those containing aluminum, antimony, barium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, lead, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, silver, tin, titanium, vanadium and zinc.

A method of cleaning bedding sand soiled with animal manure removes the bedding sand from an animal bedding area. An aqueous slurry of the bedding sand is made. The slurry is subjected to cyclonic action so as to separate the sand from the manure. The separated sand is then respread back into the animal bedding area for reuse. The clean bedding sand is free of organic contaminants such as manure, urine and milk. In addition, the bedding sand may contain inorganic contaminants such as clay and silt particles as well as fine particles which are undesirable in a bedding material. Processing the sand removes these inorganic contaminants and fine particles to produce a superior bedding sand for animals.

The present invention relates to a purified, easily produced poly-beta-1->4-N-acetylglucosamine (p-GlcNAc) polysaccharide species. The p-GlcNAc of the invention is a polymer of high molecular weight whose constituent monosaccharide sugars are attached in a beta-1->4 conformation, and which is free of proteins, and substantially free of single amino acids, and other organic and inorganic contaminants. In addition, derivatives and reformulations of p-GlcNAc are described. The present invention further relates to methods for the purification of the p-GlcNAc of the invention from microalgae, preferably diatom, starting sources. Still further, the invention relates to methods for the derivatization and reformulation of the p-GlcNAc. Additionally, the present invention relates to the uses of pure p-GlcNAc, its derivatives, and/or its reformulations.

Compositions in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprise a compressed mixture of fibrous organic materials and multi-valent metals used to remove organic chemical contaminants. The compositions are made into a pre-shaped, compressed form used to form a permeable reactive barrier for decontamination of soils, sediments, sludges, and waters containing environmental pollutants. The compressed mixture, comprising the fibrous organic particles and one or more multivalent metallic particles, is formed into reactive pellets, granules, and other pre-shaped structures for use in constructing a reactive barrier, typically for use in a contaminated environment or in an industrial process. By way of example, the pre-shaped structure may be used to construct a reactive barrier to remove halogenated organic chemical contaminants, nitroaromatic organic contaminants, or certain inorganic contaminants from various terrestrial and aquatic based ecosystems.