University of Utah Research Foundation

Other

USA as Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Ye Yi

Jan D Miller

Qiang Yu

T Richard Lee

A method which uses a process reactor having three separate reaction stages to remove high concentrations of heavy metals from acidic wastewater and chemical solutions. During each of three stages the pH level of the wastewater is increased and sludge and flocculate organic and metal hydrocyl matters are removed from the wastewater to provide clean water which is discharged in to a sewer system.

Method for the removal of heavy metals from acidic wastewater and chemical solutions

An apparatus which uses a process reactor having three separate reaction stages to remove high concentrations of 3000 mg/l heavy metals from acidic wastewater and chemical solutions. During each of three stages the pH level of the wastewater is increased and sludge and flocculate organic and metal hydroxyl matters are removed from the wastewater to provide clean water which is discharged in to a sewer system.

Apparatus for the removal of heavy metals from acidic wastewater and chemical solutions

A method and apparatus for removing volatile contaminants, such as methyl tertbutyl ether (MTBE), from water or other supplies of liquid. In one embodiment of the invention, a gas is sparged through a helical flow of liquid to strip away contaminants. The flowrate of the helical flow of liquid and the flowrate of the gas are held at an optimum ratio to maintain flow stability and maximize stripping efficiency. In another embodiment of the invention, the liquid is processed through a series of stripping stages until volatile contaminants are stripped to a desired level. A portion of the liquid is recycled within each stage, while a system flow of liquid passed from one stage to the next. The flowrate of the recycled flow and the flowrate of the system flow have a ratio that provides improved system capacity while ensuring proper volatile removal.

Method and apparatus for removing VOCs from water

A froth flotation method is disclosed for separating fine particles of fossil resin from by use of frothing reagents which include an aliphatic organic compound having a polar group and containing not more than four carbon atoms. Butanol is an effective frothing reagent in this method.

Surface chemistry control for selective fossil resin flotation

disclosed is a process for separating resin from a mixture of resin-bearing coal particles by increasing the pH of a froth flotation process to a value of at least 12. Particles of reduced size resin-bearing coal are preferably mixed with water to from a slurry. The pH of the slurry is then adjusted with a chemical agent to about 12. The slurry is then subjected to froth flotation. The coal particles aggregate to one another allowing the remaining resin-rich particles to attach to the bubbles formed during the flotation process. A much improved separation efficiency for resin flotation from coal is observed.

Fossil resin flotation from coal by selective coagulation and depression

The present invention is directed to air sparged hydrocyclone flotation apparatus and methods for separating particles from particulate suspensions (such as coal and mineral ore slurries), wherein fluid discharge is removed annularly from a flotation vessel. Preferably, the flotation apparatus includes a vertically oriented cylindrical flotation vessel having a tangential inlet at its upper end and an annular outlet at its lower end. The annular outlet allows for the smooth exit of fluid discharge from the flotation vessel so as to avoid disturbance of the fluid flow within the flotation vessel. Air is sparged into the vessel and a froth which contains the recovery products exits through a vortex finder positioned in the upper end of the vessel. The apparatus includes a froth pedestal positioned within the vessel which forms the annular outlet with the wall of the vessel. The froth pedestal may take a generally cylindrical or a generally conical configuration. The conical froth pedestal extends into the vessel from near the bottom of the vessel to at least one-half the distance to the vortex finder. The froth pedestal further serves, among other things, to support the froth column formed within the flotation vessel and isolate the froth column from the fluid discharge so as to minimize mixing therebetween.

Air sparged hydrocyclone flotation apparatus and methods for separating

Disclosed is a process for separating resin from reduced size resin-bearing coal particles by treating the particles with ozone. Particles of reduced size resin-bearing coal are preferably mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry is then treated with ozone for a short length of time. The slurry is then subjected to froth flotation. The ozone selectively oxidizes the coal, decreasing its hydrophobicity causing the relatively more hydrophobic resin to attach to the bubbles formed during the flotation process. A much improved separation efficiency for resin flotation from coal is observed.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Ye Yi