Water purification with in situ production of dispersed flocculant
US5935448A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 24, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S210/908
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for purifying water wherein a highly dispersed, hydrophobic flocculant is produced in situ. In the preferred methods, a dispersion of a water-insoluble, metallic soap is produced in situ by the reaction of an aqueous solution of a water-soluble, multivalent metal salt with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble, alkali soap. The apparatus of the present invention includes a first mixing chamber for producing in situ an aqueous dispersion of a hydrophobic flocculant. The apparatus further includes a second mixing chamber in fluid communication with the first chamber and a flocculation/separation basin. The hydrophobic flocculant is evenly dispersing within the contaminated water by introduction into the second chamber through a high pressure pump and sparger. As the hydrophobic flocculant forms in the flocculation/separation basin, it entrains other impurities, thus producing purified water which is withdrawn from the basin through a clean water outlet.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.