Cactus mucilage and ferric ions for the removal of arsenate (As(V)) from water
US9776895B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC02F2101/103
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Potable drinking water is plagued with widespread arsenic contamination, particularly in developing communities. Ferric ions were introduced to interact with arsenate based on the strong affinity of arsenate for ferric hydroxides, followed by mucilage addition. The mucilage coagulated and flocculated the ferric-arsenate complex and formed visible flocs that settled at the bottom of the tubes. The system showed 75-96% arsenate removal in 1 hour, while longer retention times showed 100% removal. The role of the mucilage was demonstrated by untreated solutions showing no concentration difference and remaining stable for more than 15 days. This mucilage-based technology has the potential to be a relatively inexpensive, environmentally sustainable alternative to synthetic polymer flocculants for removing arsenic from drinking water.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.