Method and apparatus for biodegradation of alkyl ethers and tertiary butyl alcohol
US6458276B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S210/908
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed is a method for treating groundwater, or other water streams contaminated with oxygenate(s), particularly MTBE and TBA, characterized by improved biodegradation of MTBE, the biodegradation of TBA, and reduced frequency of the need to change the carbon bed, which comprises inoculating a biodegrader capable of degrading said oxygenate on an activated carbon bed through a rigid tubular instrument having a plurality of holes around the circumference of the end used for inoculation of the carbon bed by a method that optimizes dispersion and colonization; and flowing said groundwater, or other water stream contaminated with said oxygenate through a structure having a top, bottom and sides and a predetermined volume containing said bed of activated carbon having said biodegrader inoculated thereon. The invention is also an apparatus for biodegradation of oxygenate(s).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.