The system and method is directed to improved separation or clarification of solids from a solids-laden liquid, including the removal of low gravity solids. A liquid to be treated is introduced into the inlet of a solid-liquid separator modified to include one or more sources of vibrational energy. The liquid is directed through a conduit within the separator. This conduit can be configured into a tortuous flow path to assist in the separation of solids from the liquid, the tortuous path being interconnected between two separation towers. Vibrational energy and gas sparging is applied to the flow path. As solids fall out of solution, they are collected. The clarified liquid is also collected. A vacuum can be applied to the system to assist in moving the solid-liquid mixture through the system and to provide vacuum clarification. Electrocoagulation electrodes can also be employed.

A humidification-dehumidification water purification system and method is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of evaporator/condenser units and heat exchanger, preferably a solar collector. Contaminated water flows through successive condenser stages to the heat exchanger, and from there through successive evaporator stages. A flow of air is directed through successive evaporator stages in the direction opposite to the flow of water, where it is humidified by water vapor evaporating from the water. The humidified air passes through the successive condenser stages, where it is cooled, thereby condensing pure water and dehumidifying the air. The pure water is extracted from the system, and the dehumidified air can be recirculated through the system. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the evaporator/condenser units are stacked beneath the solar collector, and the system is fully portable and modular and can be either land- or water borne.

An ultraviolet irradiation apparatus includes: a first substrate; a second substrate; electrodes disposed directly or indirectly on the first substrate; a dielectric layer covering the electrodes; a sealant joining together the first and second substrates; a light-emitting layer that is disposed directly or indirectly on the dielectric layer and/or a surface of the second substrate; and a reaction vessel disposed directly or indirectly on a surface of the second substrate. The reaction vessel includes a tubular structure, an inlet channel and an outlet channel. The tubular structure has a ratio ha/hc of 5 to 10, where ha is a diameter of a circle inscribed in an inner bottom surface of the tubular structure, and hc is an inner height of the tubular structure.

A vessel for treating an oil-in-water inlet stream houses an inlet flow distributor arranged to direct an inlet flow toward a perforated baffle of a coalescing section, the coalescing section housing a packing and being arranged upstream of a second baffle; a flotation section arranged to receive a flow exiting the coalescing section and being divided by one or more perforated baffles; and an outlet water collecting pipe arranged to receive a flow exiting the flotation section, the outlet water collecting pipe having one or more openings located along its length. The coalescing section may be divided into two sections, with one section preferably housing a different pre-selected sized packing than the other section. The flotation section may include one or more gas-inducing devices. A solid baffle may be arranged downstream of the second baffle and ahead of the flotation section to provide single or dual flow through that section.

Torpedo cars for use with granulated iron production, and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments of the present technology, a torpedo car includes a tilting mechanism, a body rotatably coupled to the tilting mechanism, and a controller operably coupled to the tilting mechanism to control tilting of the body. The body can include (i) an inner surface defining a cavity and a channel, and (ii) an outer surface defining an opening to the cavity and a channel outlet of the channel spaced apart from the opening. The channel can extend between the channel outlet and a channel inlet interfacing the cavity. The inner surface can include a slag dam configured to prevent slag from exiting the opening while the torpedo car tilts. The controller can control the tilting mechanism to control molten metal flow out of the cavity through the channel.

A low-sulfur granulated metallic unit having a mass fraction of sulfur between 0.0001 wt. % and 0.08 wt. % is disclosed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the granulated metallic unit can comprise a mass fraction of phosphorous of at least 0.025 wt. %, a mass fraction of silicon between 0.25 wt. % and 1.5 wt. %, a mass fraction of manganese of at least 0.2 wt. %, a mass fraction of carbon of at least 0.8 wt. %, and/or a mass fraction of iron of at least 94.0 wt. %.

A low-carbon granulated metallic unit having a mass fraction of carbon between 0.1 wt. % and 4.0 wt. % is disclosed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the granulated metallic unit can comprise a mass fraction of phosphorous of at least 0.025 wt. %, a mass fraction of silicon between 0.25 wt. % and 1.5 wt. %, a mass fraction of manganese of at least 0.2 wt. %, a mass fraction of sulfur of at least 0.0001 wt. %, and/or a mass fraction of iron of at least 94.0 wt. %.

Systems and methods for using a liquid hot metal processing unit to produce granulated metallic units (GMUs) are disclosed herein. In some embodiments of the present technology, a liquid hot metal processing system for producing GMUs comprises a liquid hot metal processing unit including a granulator unit. The granulator unit can include a tilter positioned to receive and tilt a ladle, a controller operably coupled to the tilter to control tilting of the ladle, a tundish positioned to receive the molten metallics from the ladle, and a reactor positioned to receive the molten metallics from the tundish. The reactor can be configured to cool the molten metallics to form granulated metallic units (GMUs).

Reduced-waste systems and methods for granulated metallic units (GMUs) production are disclosed herein. A representative method can include receiving a first supply of molten iron and producing GMUs by granulating the molten iron poured onto a target material of a reactor. The method can include removing residual fines of the GMUs via a classifier based on a threshold particle size and mixing the residual fines with a second supply of molten iron to produce additional GMUs.

Systems for continuous granulated metallic unit (GMU) production, and associated devices and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a continuous GMU production system includes a furnace unit, a desulfurization unit, a plurality of granulator units, and a cooling system. The furnace unit can receive input materials such as iron ore and output molten metal. The desulfurization unit can reduce a sulfur content of the molten metallics received from the furnace unit. Each of the plurality of granulator units can include a tundish that can control the flow of molten metallics and a reactor that can granulate the molten metallics to form GMUs. The cooling system can provide cooled water to the reactor. Continuous GMU production systems configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can produce GMUs under continuous operations cycles for, e.g., at least 6 hours.