A system for separating the components of an incoming oil-water mixture includes two electrode sets, one set arranged to apply an electrostatic field to an oil layer residing within a separator vessel and the other set arranged to apply an electrostatic field to the interface emulsion layer residing within the separator vessel. The first set of electrodes is in communication with a high voltage power source that ranges from 1 to 60 kV; the second set of electrodes is in communication with a low voltage power source that is no greater than 5 kV. Each set of electrodes may also be in communication with a second voltage source to provide increased power to promote effective coalescence. The system may also include power electronics to produce a variable amplitude and a variable frequency voltage supply to one or both electrode sets.

The present invention relates to method/process of synthesis for ferrate synthesis. More specifically, it includes method for producing a liquid ferrate solution of oxidation of plus 6 stage, and discusses the apparatus and the raw materials and an improved greener process for synthesizing stable, high purity ferrate (VI) used for treating wastewater. The synthesis method involves three stages, namely, oxidation of hematite ore, followed by ferrate with chlorine under alkaline conditions and addition of stabilizing agent to improve shelf life of liquid ferrate solution for minimum 6 weeks. The process results in the efficient and effective productions of ferrate with high yields and small amounts of waste production. The synthesized chemical ferrate (VI) through the present invention has resulted in the effective reduction of BOD, COD and TSS.

A three-dimensional photo/electrodialysis unit includes four compartments. A first compartment holds a three-dimensional electrode and a group of one or more electrochemically active redox species. A first electroactive cation selective membrane couples the first compartment to a second compartment that provides a first feedstock. An electroactive anion selective membrane couples the second compartment to a third compartment that provides a second feedstock. And a second electroactive cation selective membrane couples the third compartment to a fourth compartment

An acidic water-based process was developed for the synthesis of anionic lignin copolymers with adjustable MW, thermal stability and solubility in water. The anionic lignin copolymer described herein comprises: a molecular weight of 5,000 to 7.410.sup.5 g/mol; and a charge density of 1 to 7.2 meq/g. The anionic lignin copolymers described herein which have a molecular weight range of 000-50,000 g/mol can be used as dispersants of negatively charged molecules or particles in numerous process or wastewater streams (e.g. concrete admixtures, gypsum slurries, textile dye) while such copolymers in a molecular weight range of 90,000-740,000 g/mole can be used as flocculants of positively charged molecules or particles in numerous process and wastewater streams including industrial and municipal systems and sludge dewatering in the textile dye, pulp & paper, mining and oil industries.

A method for detecting and controlling the amount of cationic species in a water stream in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is carried out by adding a solution containing a pre-determined quantity of a fluorescent tracer to the sample of water stream to obtain a solution comprising a complex. The fluorescence emission spectra of the solution is measured for detecting the presence or absence of the cationic species based on the attenuation and shift of the emission peak in the range of 640 nm to 655 nm.

The present application provides a method of detecting an amount of a treatment agent, such as a flocculating agent, in a process stream comprising the step of measuring at least one absorption property of a sample obtained from the process stream at a wavelength of less than about 250 nm. Processes and systems for monitoring and regulating addition of treatment agents to process streams are also provided.

The present invention provides phosphonium-crosslinked chitosan (PCC) and methods for using the same for removal of heavy metal-ion(s) from a solution as well as methods for producing said phosphonium-crosslinked chitosan.

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.

Strontium oxide (SrO) nanoparticle and various concentrations of chitosan (CS)-doped SrO nanocomposite were synthesized via co-precipitation method. A variety of characterization techniques including were done for characterizing and qualifying the nanocomposite. X ray powder diffraction affirmed cubic and tetragonal structure of SrO nanoparticle and CS-doped SrO nanocomposite with a decrease in crystallinity upon doping. Fourier transform infrared spectrum endorsed existing functional groups on CS/SrO surfaces while d-spacing was estimated using high resolution Transmission electron microscopes images. UV-Visible and Photoluminescence spectroscopy spectra showed an increase in band gap energies with an increase in doping concentration. Elemental composition of CS-doped SrO nanocomposite deposited with different doping concentrations was studied using Energy dispersive Spectroscopy. Addition of chitosan resulted in the formation of nanocomposite and rod-like structures that led to enhanced catalytic activity during methylene blue ciprofloxacin degradation in the presence of reducing agent sodium borohydrate at various pH conditions.

A Lu.sub.2O.sub.3@ZnO nanocomposite includes Lu.sub.2O.sub.3 and ZnO. The nanocomposite can have an average diameter ranging from about 20 nm to about 25 nm. The nanocomposite can be used as a photocatalyst for photodegradation of organic dyes. In an embodiment, the organic dyes include textile wastewater dyes. In an embodiment, the textile wastewater dyes include methylene blue (MB).