# US 11,999,635 B2 · Method for decontaminating a liquid

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- Number: US 11,999,635 B2
- Document ID: US11999635B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/293,553
- Filed: 2019-11-13
- Published: 2023-03-09
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2018-11-13
- Assignees: Southern Spongolite Industries Pty Ltd
- Applicants: Southern Spongolite Industries Pty Ltd
- Inventors: Peter James Keating; Julia Heide
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999635B2

## CPC

- C02F 1/288: {using composite sorbents, e.g. coated, impregnated, multi-layered}
- B01J 20/02: comprising inorganic material
- B01J 20/10: comprising silica or silicate
- B01J 20/28011: {Other properties, e.g. density, crush strength}
- B01J 20/3078: {Thermal treatment, e.g. calcining or pyrolizing}
- B01J 20/3085: {Chemical treatments not covered by groups B01J20/3007 - B01J20/3078}
- B01J 20/3433: {of sorbents or filter aids other than those covered by B01J20/3408 - B01J20/3425}
- B01J 20/3071: {Washing or leaching}
- C02F 1/281: {using inorganic sorbents}
- C02F 2101/105: {Phosphorus compounds}
- C02F 2101/16: Nitrogen compounds, e.g. ammonia
- C02F 2101/163: {Nitrates}
- C02F 2101/166: {Nitrites}
- C02F 2103/001: {Runoff or storm water}
- C02F 2103/007: {Contaminated open waterways, rivers, lakes or ponds}
- C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes)
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS

## Abstract

A method for the sorption of phosphorous and/or nitrogen from a liquid, the method comprising the step of contacting the liquid with a composition comprising spongolite.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for sorption of phosphorous and/or nitrogen from a liquid, the method comprising the steps of:
i) calcining spongolite and/or treating spongolite with a soluble metal cation solution;
ii) contacting the liquid with a composition comprising the calcined and/or soluble metal treated spongolite.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1 wherein the liquid is water or an aqueous solution.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1 wherein the phosphorous sorbed from the liquid is in the form of phosphate and/or the nitrogen sorbed from the liquid is in the form of nitrate or nitrite.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1 wherein the calcining occurs:
a) at a temperature selected from any temperature within a range of 400° C. to 800° C.; and/or
b) for a period of time of between 30 minutes and 7 days.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1 wherein the soluble metal cation is metal cation of iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, aluminium, vanadium or calcium.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1 wherein the soluble metal cation is in the form of a metal salt in the form of a sulphate salt, carbonate salt or chloride salt.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1 wherein the soluble metal cation treatment is carried out:
a) using a soluble metal cation in the form of a metal salt at a concentration of between 1-20% (w/w) metal salt;
b) using a soluble metal cation at a concentration of between 0.1-5% (w/w) metal cation; and/or
c) for a period of time between 10 minutes and 7 days.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises treating the spongolite with a soluble metal cation solution and then calcining the spongolite before contacting the liquid with the composition.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises calcining the spongolite and then treating the spongolite with a soluble metal cation solution before contacting the liquid with the composition.

### Claim 10

A composition for sorption of phosphorous and/or nitrogen from a liquid, said composition comprising calcined spongolite and/or soluble metal treated spongolite.

### Claim 11

A kit for sorption of phosphorous and/or nitrogen from a liquid, the kit comprising:
a) a composition comprising calcined spongolite and/or soluble metal treated spongolite; and
b) instructions for use.