Patent · US Expired

Method and system for water purification by culturing and harvesting attached algal communities

US5573669A · kind A · utility

46Cited by
8References
14Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 6, 1995
Grant dateNov 12, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 6, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02W10/37
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A floway for cleansing water of pollutants is presented that has an upstream weir wherein water to be cleansed is admitted, a downstream weir wherefrom water is discharged, and curbs extending between the weirs for retaining water along the sides. The bottom surface is specifically textured conducive for growing a bed of algae to form an algal turf thereon. The algae bioassimilates pollutants from the water and is harvested periodically by a vacuum system having a notched, rotating nozzle at the intake end. An ultraviolet reactor positioned at the downstream end is used to degrade volatile organic compounds. In addition, the water surface is disturbed to change the angle of incidence of light and focus additional light energy on the algae.

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