The present invention provides improved methods for purifying and/or removing oily particles, and/or contaminants suspended or dissolved in water. In particular the process relates to an additive composition that has the appropriate surfactant characteristics for effectively removing an oil phase from an oil/aqueous mixed phase via foam fractionation. According to the invention, a hydrophobically modified polymer that acts as an associative thickener is combined with surfactant in appropriate ratios to facilitate oil removal for water purification in any of a number of commercial, environmental and industrial applications.

The present invention provides improved methods for purifying and/or removing oily particles, and/or contaminants suspended or dissolved in water. In particular the process relates to an additive composition that has the appropriate surfactant characteristics for effectively removing an oil phase from an oil/aqueous mixed phase via foam fractionation. According to the invention, a hydrophobically modified polymer that acts as an associative thickener is combined with surfactant in appropriate ratios to facilitate oil removal for water purification in any of a number of commercial, environmental and industrial applications.

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for using foam fractionation to remove non-polar waste molecules, including, but not limited to, sewage bacteria, environmental contaminants, and/or sediment/turbidity caused by dredging activities, from open-water aquatic environments. Some foam fractionation systems disclosed herein generally include a plurality of partially submerged foam fractionation devices, each foam fractionation device including a foam collection reservoir positioned above a waterline and a reaction chamber positioned at least partially below the waterline. In some embodiments, the partially submerged foam fractionation device is supported by a base structure, such as a barge, boat, skiff, or the like. In other embodiments, the partially submerged foam fractionation device is a free-floating device.

A process for separation of a slurry by radially injecting a stream of a nanogas solution at a shear-focus volume within a pipe; passing an aqueous slurry through the pipe along a direction of flow and through the shear-focus volume; and shearing and/or admixing the slurry with the nanogas solution within the shear-focus volume.

A method of removing metal particles from a contaminated metalworking fluid comprising emulsion droplets and metal particles includes pressurizing a first clean metalworking fluid with gas to provide an aerated metalworking fluid; releasing the pressure of the aerated metalworking fluid to form a plurality of bubbles; applying a shear force to the contaminated metalworking fluid to separate the emulsion droplets from the metal particles; flowing the contaminated metalworking fluid with the aerated metalworking fluid in a laminar flow to form a combined fluid, wherein the flowing occurs during the formation of the plurality of bubbles and while the emulsion droplets are separated from the metal particles, and wherein the laminar flow lasts for a time sufficient for the plurality of bubbles to attach to the metal particles; releasing the combined fluid into a flotation tank; and removing the metal particles to form a second clean metalworking fluid.

A method of removing metal particles from a contaminated metalworking fluid comprising emulsion droplets and metal particles includes pressurizing a first clean metalworking fluid with gas to provide an aerated metalworking fluid; releasing the pressure of the aerated metalworking fluid to form a plurality of bubbles; applying a shear force to the contaminated metalworking fluid to separate the emulsion droplets from the metal particles; flowing the contaminated metalworking fluid with the aerated metalworking fluid in a laminar flow to form a combined fluid, wherein the flowing occurs during the formation of the plurality of bubbles and while the emulsion droplets are separated from the metal particles, and wherein the laminar flow lasts for a time sufficient for the plurality of bubbles to attach to the metal particles; releasing the combined fluid into a flotation tank; and removing the metal particles to form a second clean metalworking fluid.

The present invention provides improved methods for purifying and/or removing oily particles, and/or contaminants suspended or dissolved in water. In particular the process relates to an additive composition that has the appropriate surfactant characteristics for effectively removing an oil phase from an oil/aqueous mixed phase via foam fractionation. According to the invention, a hydrophobically modified polymer that acts as an associative thickener is combined with surfactant in appropriate ratios to facilitate oil removal for water purification in any of a number of commercial, environmental and industrial applications.

The present invention provides improved methods for purifying and/or removing oily particles, and/or contaminants suspended or dissolved in water. In particular the process relates to an additive composition that has the appropriate surfactant characteristics for effectively removing an oil phase from an oil/aqueous mixed phase via foam fractionation. According to the invention, a hydrophobically modified polymer that acts as an associative thickener is combined with surfactant in appropriate ratios to facilitate oil removal for water purification in any of a number of commercial, environmental and industrial applications.

A flotation cell for treating particles suspended in slurry. The flotation cell includes a fluidized bed, a recovery zone at the upper part of the flotation cell, a launder lip and a recovery launder, and a tailings outlet. A primary slurry feed including fresh slurry is arranged to be fed into the flotation cell by a first feed inlet at a first position; and a secondary slurry feed including at least slurry recirculated from a flotation cell is arranged to be fed into the fluidized bed by a second feed inlet at a second position, below the first position. The slurry recirculated from the flotation cell is obtained at a third position between the recovery launder and the tailings outlet. A use of the flotation cell as well as a method for treating particles suspended in slurry are also disclosed.

A flotation cell for treating particles suspended in slurry. The flotation cell includes a fluidized bed, a recovery zone at the upper part of the flotation cell, a launder lip and a recovery launder, and a tailings outlet. A primary slurry feed including fresh slurry is arranged to be fed into the flotation cell by a first feed inlet at a first position; and a secondary slurry feed including at least slurry recirculated from a flotation cell is arranged to be fed into the fluidized bed by a second feed inlet at a second position, below the first position. The slurry recirculated from the flotation cell is obtained at a third position between the recovery launder and the tailings outlet. A use of the flotation cell as well as a method for treating particles suspended in slurry are also disclosed.