Patent · US Expired

Method for removal of heavy metals from water

US6153108A · kind A · utility

35Cited by
12References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 11, 1998
Grant dateNov 28, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 11, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S210/914
  • WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method to remove heavy metals concentrations in water down to very low levels is described. The method calls for the addition of a soluble sulfide to the water. This is followed adding a soluble iron reagent such as ferrous sulfate or ferrous chloride. The water is aerated. As an alternative to aeration, the pH of the water can be increased. Finally, the solids generated from the above steps are separated from the water. This method has been shown to remove heavy metals, particularly copper and zinc, from actual industrial wastewater to very low concentrations, i.e., below about 100 ppb. Furthermore, the treated water is free of sulfide. The byproduct sludge comprises iron sulfide, iron oxides, iron hydroxides, and the heavy metal sulfides.

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