A sorbent is described, suitable for removing heavy metals, particularly mercury, from fluid streams including 20-75% by weight of copper (expressed as copper (II) oxide) in the form of one or more copper sulphides, the sorbent having a sulphur to copper atomic ratio in the range 0.7 to 0.95:1.

A porous carbon material composite formed of a porous carbon material and a functional material and equipped with high functionality. The porous carbon material composite is formed of (A) a porous carbon material obtainable from a plant-derived material having a silicon (Si) content of 5 wt % or higher as a raw material; and (B) a functional material adhered on the porous carbon material, and has a specific surface area of 10 m2/g or greater as determined by the nitrogen BET method and a pore volume of 0.1 cm3/g or greater as determined by the BJH method and MP method.

Alumina/NiO/ZnO and Alumina/ZnO are synthesized via a novel modified hydrothermal method and investigated for the desulfurization activities. Sulfur compounds such as thiophene, benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) are tested for their removal from model diesel fuel. The prepared composite materials were examined by the means of N.sub.2-adsorption, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Hydrogel nanobeads include an ionically crosslinked sulfated polysaccharide biopolymer such as a carrageenan. In an embodiment, the hydrogel nanobeads comprise kappa carrageenan (Cg) and a metal ion crosslinking agent. In an embodiment, the metal ion crosslinking agent includes a metal ion selected from the group consisting of Zn.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+, Fe.sup.3+, and Ti.sup.3+. The hydrogel nanobeads can be used for removal of pollutants in wastewater.

Hydrogel nanobeads include an ionically crosslinked sulfated polysaccharide biopolymer such as a carrageenan. In an embodiment, the hydrogel nanobeads comprise kappa carrageenan (KCg) and a metal ion crosslinking agent. In an embodiment, the metal ion crosslinking agent includes a metal ion selected from the group consisting of Zn.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+, Fe.sup.3+, and Ti.sup.3+. The hydrogel nanobeads can be used for removal of pollutants in wastewater.

Systems and methods for use of magnesium hydroxide, either directly or through one or more precursors, doped with a divalent or trivalent metal cation, for removing arsenic from drinking water, including water distribution systems. In one embodiment, magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH).sub.2 (a strong adsorbent for arsenic) doped with a divalent or trivalent metal cation is used to adsorb arsenic. The complex consisting of arsenic adsorbed on Mg(OH).sub.2 doped with a divalent or trivalent metal cation is subsequently removed from the water by conventional means, including filtration, settling, skimming, vortexing, centrifugation, magnetic separation, or other well-known separation systems. In another embodiment, magnesium oxide, MgO, is employed, which reacts with water to form Mg(OH).sub.2. The resulting Mg(OH).sub.2 doped with a divalent or trivalent metal cation, then adsorbs arsenic, as set forth above. The method can also be used to treat human or animal poisoning with arsenic.

Alumina/NiO/ZnO and Alumina/ZnO are synthesized via a novel modified hydrothermal method and investigated for the desulfurization activities. Sulfur compounds such as thiophene, benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) are tested for their removal from model diesel fuel. The prepared composite materials were examined by the means of N.sub.2-adsorption, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Nanoparticle-treated particle packs, such as sand beds, may effectively filter and purify liquids such as waste water. When tiny contaminant particles in waste water flow through the particle pack, the nanoparticles will capture and hold the tiny contaminant particles within the pack due to the nanoparticles' surface forces, including, but not necessarily limited to van der Waals and electrostatic forces. Coating agents may help apply the nanoparticles to the particle surfaces in the filter beds or packs.

A particulate desulfurization material includes one or more copper compounds supported on a zinc oxide support material, wherein the desulfurization material has a copper content in the range 0.1 to 5.0% by weight and a tapped bulk density 1.55 kg/l. The material is obtained by (i) mixing a powdered copper compound with a particulate zinc support material comprising zinc oxide and one or more precursors that form zinc oxide upon calcination, and one or more binders to form a copper-containing composition, (ii) shaping the copper-containing composition by granulation, and (iii) drying and calcining the resulting granulated material.

A non-oxidized diesel desulfurization process that uses temperature swing adsorption along with an adsorbent to adsorb sulfur compounds and other impurities petroleum-based from fuel compositions, including light distillates, middle distillates, diesel, gasoline and transmix. The process uses temperature cycling of an adsorbent bed to adsorb and desorb organosulfur compounds and other impurities. Once the adsorbent reaches a selected concentration of sulfur compounds, the temperature of the adsorbent bed is raised to desorb sulfur compounds, using a regenerant.