The invention relates to a method for removing a chemical substance from human excreta, such as faeces and urine, comprising the following steps of: providing a toilet for a person from whose excreta the chemical substance must be removed; releasably connecting a filtering device to the toilet, wherein the filtering device comprises at least one removable cartridge with a filter; transporting the excreta by means of a transport screw from the toilet toward the filter in the cartridge, wherein pressure is exerted on the excreta by means of a plunger; filtering the chemical substance out of the excreta in situ using the filtering device; periodically replacing the at least one cartridge; and processing the replaced cartridge. The invention also relates to a filtering device for application in this method, and a cartridge for use in such a filtering device.

A forward osmosis filtration cell is provided which includes a fluid passageway and a forward osmosis filtration membrane positioned within the passageway. The filtration membrane divides the fluid passageway into two chambers, a first chamber configured to hold a draw solution, and a second chamber configured to hold a feed solution. The filtration cell further includes a first electrode positioned in the first chamber, and a second electrode positioned in the second chamber. The first and second electrodes are configured to apply an electric field across the filtration membrane to prevent fouling on the filtration membrane. A method of using a forward osmosis filtration cell in a water treatment system, and a method of retrofitting a water treatment system with first and second electrodes are also provided.

A disinfection device suitable for disinfection of water in a water line, wherein the device is adapted to receive water from the water line and for the disinfected water to exit the device. The disclosure also relates to a DUWL including the disinfection device, as well as a dental chair comprising the DUWL. Moreover, embodiments of the disclosure concern a method for disinfection of water in a water line.

Copper-boron-ferrite (Cu—B—Fe) composites may be prepared and immobilized on graphite electrodes in a silica-based sol-gel, e.g., from rice husks. Different bimetallic loading ratios can produce fast in-situ electrogeneration of reactive oxygen species, H.sub.2O.sub.2 and .Math.OH, e.g., via droplet flow-assisted heterogeneous electro-Fenton reactor system. Loading ratios of, e.g., 10 to 30 wt. % Fe.sup.3+ and 5 to 15% wt. Cu.sup.2+, can improve the catalytic activities towards pharmaceutical beta blockers (atenolol and propranolol) degradation in water. Degradation efficiencies of at least 99.9% for both propranolol and atenolol in hospital wastewater were demonstrated. Radicals of .Math.OH in degradation indicate a surface mechanism at inventive cathodes with correlated contributions of iron and copper. Copper and iron can be embedded in porous graphite electrode surface and catalyze the conversion of H.sub.2O.sub.2 to .Math.OH to enhance the degradation. Inventive cathodes can be stable catalytically after 20 or more cycles under neutral and acidic conditions.

Use of Keplerate type polyoxomolybdates of the general structure Mo.sub.72M.sub.30, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Cr, V or Mo.sub.2, for decontaminating aqueous media (water) from inorganic and organic pollutants.

Disclosed is a method of treating a clinical analyser wastewater stream containing a first concentration of azide ions in solution, comprising at least the step of passing the clinical analyser wastewater stream through an anodic oxidation chamber having one or more anodic oxidation cells to provide a post-chamber treated water stream, said treated water stream having a second concentration of azide ions in solution that is less than the first concentration of azide ions in solution. A clinical analyser treatment apparatus comprising an anodic oxidation chamber having one or more anodic oxidation cells able to reduce a concentration of azide ions is also disclosed.

Copper-boron-ferrite (Cu—B—Fe) composites may be prepared and immobilized on graphite electrodes in a silica-based sol-gel, e.g., from rice husks. Different bimetallic loading ratios can produce fast in-situ electrogeneration of reactive oxygen species, H.sub.2O.sub.2 and .OH, e.g., via droplet flow-assisted heterogeneous electro-Fenton reactor system. Loading ratios of, e.g., 10 to 30 wt. % Fe.sup.3+ and 5 to 15% wt. Cu.sup.2+, can improve the catalytic activities towards pharmaceutical beta blockers (atenolol and propranolol) degradation in water. Degradation efficiencies of at least 99.9% for both propranolol and atenolol in hospital wastewater were demonstrated. Radicals of .OH in degradation indicate a surface mechanism at inventive cathodes with correlated contributions of iron and copper. Copper and iron can be embedded in porous graphite electrode surface and catalyze the conversion of H.sub.2O.sub.2 to .OH to enhance the degradation. Inventive cathodes can be stable catalytically after 20 or more cycles under neutral and acidic conditions.

The invention includes a system and method for delivery and storage of an absorbent for solidification of liquid waste. The system includes a plurality of nestable containers configured to receive aqueous liquid to be solidified and forming a packet safe space when nested one within another. The system also includes a plurality of packets at least partially soluble in the aqueous liquid to be solidified. The containers include at least one packet and each packet contains a solidifier for use as an absorbent composition for the aqueous liquid to be solidified. A packet may be housed within the containers inside a packet safe space. The invention also includes an improved system and method for packaging a solidifier for solidification of liquid medical wastes.

A graphene coated crushed glass particle adsorbent is provided for the removal of heavy metals and other contaminants in from solutions such as wastewaters, contaminated surface water and groundwater. The adsorbent comprises crushed (e.g. recycled) glass coated with graphene nano-sheets using a staged thermal binding process and the silicas in the glass as a catalyst. The adsorbent may be configured for use in both in-situ and ex-situ treatment systems and is capable of removing heavy metals and other inorganic and organic contaminants. The strong adsorptive bond between contaminants and the graphene coating on crushed glass particles can also lead to alternative applications of the end of life adsorbent, such as base material in road and pavement (e.g. cement-like) construction materials.

A disinfection apparatus and method is provided for disinfecting a fluid. The apparatus elements define three internal container volumes. Fluid is introduced into an entry volume where its flow is conditioned to reduce splash and slow the fluid flow. The fluid is then channeled into a disinfection volume where a disinfection unit delivers a disinfection agent to the fluid. Finally, the fluid exits the apparatus through an exit volume. In one aspect, a sink-trap is disclosed in which wastewater liquid contacts a pair of diverters. The diverters have conditioned contact surfaces that slows and spreads the liquid flow and reduces liquid splash. The wastewater then passes through a UV chamber in which it is disinfected. The liquid then exits the sink-trap. Advanced self-cleaning apparatus are additionally disclosed to clean and disinfect the sink-trap and trapped wastewater. The entire apparatus operates under computer control.