Patent · US Active

Water purification method using plant molecules

US7943049B1 · kind B1 · utility

4Cited by

10References

17Claims

0Family size

Assignee

University of South Florida · US

Inventors

Norma A. Alcantar · Tampa, US
Babu Joseph · Tampa, US
Kevin Young · Fairmount, US

Key dates

Filing date	Nov 5, 2007
Grant date	May 17, 2011
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Oct 8, 2028

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10S210/912
WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Arsenic is a poisonous metalloid which, because of its hydroscopic nature, is primarily transported through water. Most plant species, including the nopal cactus, produce a sticky substance called mucilage. Mucilage swells in water but is insoluble and can precipitate ions, bacteria and particles from aqueous solutions. The invention includes a method of separating particulates and heavy metals such as arsenic (As) from drinking water using natural flocculants obtained from cactus mucilage. The extraction techniques and the methodology for using the cactus mucilage obtain higher As removal than conventional methods, like aluminum sulfate precipitation.

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