Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Ion exchange or selective sorption
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-19
2001-01-30
Popovics, Robert J. (Department: 1723)
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Ion exchange or selective sorption
C210S777000, C210S799000, C210S502100, C210S504000, C210S692000, C210S282000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06180010
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for removing contaminants from aqueous systems, and more specifically relates to filtration devices and methods for removing slightly soluble organic compounds from such aqueous systems.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
In recent years many previously clean water sources have been found to be contaminated with pernicious slightly soluble organic compounds such as benzene, toluene, xylene, halogenated hydrocarbons, ethoxylated glycols, etc. These noxious contaminants are among the more difficult compounds to remove from water, and indeed most are carcinogenic. Currently, treatment of such contaminated water sources is effected with activated carbon, optionally along with air stripping, in an effort to reduce the contaminant levels to EPA standards. Frequent reprocessing is necessary as activated carbon has extremely limited affinity for these compounds.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Now in accordance with the present invention, it has been found that the compositions disclosed in the present inventor's U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,437,793; 5,698,139; 5,837,146; and 5,961,823 (all of which disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference) have extremely strong affinities for the aforementioned contaminants in water; and that when aqueous streams containing these noxious contaminants are passed through filtration media incorporating these inventive compositions, the contaminants are immobilized at the media, as a result of which concentration levels of the contaminants in the filtrate may be reduced to very low values, in some instances below detectable limits in a single pass. Use of the invention can reduce or eliminate the need for air stripping and multiple passes through activated carbon. Filter configurations incorporating the said compositions (hereinafter referred to as “absorbent compositions”) may be based on various water permeable substrates, such as shredded, spun or otherwise configured polypropylene or shredded or spun cellulose, which substrates are infused or otherwise treated with the absorbent compositions, which are then cured. These substrates may then be packed or otherwise disposed in a cartridge or canister filter; or can be formed into cured and infused bag filters which can be emplaced in canisters through which the contaminated water is flowed. Similarly the said absorbent compositions can be incorporated into or upon other filtering substrates and media, such as paper, including compressed pulp materials, particulate porous foamed plastics, mineral particulates such as perlite and vermiculite, and particulate, fibrous or porous ceramic or porous (e.g. sintered) metal substrates and media.
It should be appreciated that the use herein of the term “absorbent composition” is one of convenience for identifying the compositions of my aforementioned patents and patent applications. The specific mechanism by which the noxious contaminants are removed from aqueous streams by conjunctive use of the “absorbent compositions” is not completely understood, and could include attachment and/or fixation of such contaminants by mechanisms which technically involve various physical and/or chemical interactions. The term “absorbent” as used herein is intended to encompass all of these possible mechanisms.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4664812 (1987-05-01), Klein
patent: 5437793 (1995-08-01), Alper
patent: 5681476 (1997-10-01), Grund et al.
patent: 5698139 (1997-12-01), Alper
patent: 5833862 (1998-11-01), Holland
patent: 5837146 (1998-11-01), Alper
patent: 5908558 (1999-06-01), Holland
patent: 5961823 (1999-10-01), Alper
patent: 6027653 (2000-02-01), Holland
Vardeman, 1998, Environmental Protection, Dec. 1998; 34, 36,
Klauber & Jackson
Mother Environmental Systems, Inc.
Popovics Robert J.
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