A reaction product of silicious material, aluminum metal, and an aqueous solution is disclosed. The reaction product may be used to form a sorbent that is used to purify water of contaminants such as biological matter, dyes, soluble metals, arsenic, or radioactive elements. Additives may be added to the reaction product to further improve the sorption qualities of the sorbent. Water purification devices having the sorbent are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a process for in situ regeneration of spent filter aid including the steps of: a) circulating through a spent filter aid cake in a circulation loop a regenerating oil at a temperature of from 40 C. to 100 C., in a regenerating oil/spent filter aid (v/w) ratio of from 0.3/1 to 12/1; b) removing the regenerating oil from the treated spent filter aid cake; and c) recovering the regenerated filter aid.

A promoted carbon and/or non-carbon base sorbent are described that are highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The promoted sorbent comprises a carbon and/or non-carbon base sorbent that has reacted with and contains forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase and/or preserve reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the base sorbent, or in-flight within a gas stream (air, flue gas, etc.), to enhance base sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The promoted sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Base sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active base sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.

Compacting expanded perlite fines in the presence of a small amount of binder (starch and/or clay) and water, followed by drying, produces particles with low density, good integrity, and surprisingly higher absorption by volume than non-compacted expanded perlite or non-swelling clay. Furthermore, addition of a small amount of clumping agent (e.g., guar gum) to the compacted granules results in a clumping litter with low density, good integrity and comparable clumping ability to traditional clay clumping litter.

Compacting expanded perlite fines in the presence of a clay and water, followed by drying, produces particles with low density, good integrity, and surprisingly higher absorption by volume than non-compacted expanded perlite or non-swelling clay. Furthermore, addition of a clumping agent to the compacted granules results in a clumping litter with low density, good integrity and comparable clumping ability to traditional clay clumping litter.

A polymer matrix composite comprising a porous polymeric network; and a plurality of functional particles distributed within the polymeric network structure, and wherein the polymer matrix composite has an air flow resistance at 25 C., as measured by the Air Flow Resistance Test, of less than 300 seconds/50 cm.sup.3/500 micrometers; and wherein the polymer matrix composite has a density of at least 0.3 g/cm.sup.3; and methods for making the same. The polymer matrix composites are useful, for example, as filters.

An absorption medium includes compressed coir particles having been compressed from an uncompressed state at a volume to volume ratio of greater than 3:1, but less than 15:1, and having been ground to a grind size of 1/25 inches to inch.

A method for making a super absorbent composition where feedstock is broken into clumps, the clumps are transported to a compression section, where the clumps are heated using compression and friction. Next, the compressed clumps are cooled and then broken into a super absorbent material.

A method for filtering a non aqueous liquid such as a biodiesel to reduce the levels of sterol glucosides and/or saturated monoglycerides.

Compacting expanded perlite fines in the presence of a small amount of binder (starch and/or clay) and water, followed by drying, produces particles with low density, good integrity, and surprisingly higher absorption by volume than non-compacted expanded perlite or non-swelling clay. Furthermore, addition of a small amount of clumping agent (e.g., guar gum) to the compacted granules results in a clumping litter with low density, good integrity and comparable clumping ability to traditional clay clumping litter.