Patent · US Expired

Treatment of phosphate-containing wastewater

US4698163A · kind A · utility

22Cited by
3References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 12, 1985
Grant dateOct 6, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 12, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S210/915
  • WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method is provided for treating contaminated wastewater of pH ranging from about 1.5 to 3 containing phosphate ions and fluoride ions. The method comprises treating the said wastewater with an amount of alkaline agent selected from the group consisting of limestone (CaCO.sub.3) and lime [CaO or Ca(OH).sub.2 ] sufficient to raise and maintain the pH at a level of about 3.5 to 6.5 following uniform mixing thereof in a first stage precipitation step to effect substantial precipitation of the contaminants. The treated wastewater is passed to a first stage settler to effect solid/liquid separation and provide a sludge of the precipitated contaminants which is removed and separated to provide an effluent substantially impoverished in the aforementioned contaminants, following which the contaminant-impoverished effluent is treated in a second stage precipitation step with lime in an amount sufficient to raise and maintain the pH of the effluent at a level of at least about 10.5 to effect further precipitation of said contaminants having improved settling properties, which precipitate is separated and removed to provide a clear effluent characterized in that further precipitation of soli…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.