Apparatus for the use of nanoparticles in removing chemicals from aqueous solutions with subsequent water purification

A method of removing target chemicals from water using particles down to 0.2 micrometers in size, the method comprising:

• a) supplying a source of an aqueous solution of the target chemicals on demand to a reaction chamber;
• b) adding and removing a slurry of particles using a reaction chamber, the reaction chamber having means for recirculating the particles after mixing with the aqueous solution of the target chemicals;
• c) timing a reaction between the particles and the target chemicals such that a concentration of the target chemicals in the aqueous solution reaches a predetermined low level in a desired time;
• d) removing an aqueous phase from the reactor chamber while keeping the particles entrained inside the reactor chamber using a microfilter configured to be back flushed;
• e) adding additional aqueous solution to the reactor chamber from a source and continuing the cycles until the particles are saturated;
• f) removing and replacing the particles in a final cycle of a particle charge lifetime;
• and
• g) recovering the target chemicals from the particles such that the particles can be reused.

An apparatus for removing target chemicals from water, the apparatus comprising:

• a reaction chamber;
• a source of an aqueous solution of the target chemicals that can be supplied on demand to the reaction chamber, the reaction chamber having means for adding and removing a slurry of particles, the reaction chamber having means for recirculating the particles after mixing with the aqueous solution of the target chemicals;
• and
• a microfilter that removes the aqueous phase from the reactor while keeping the particles entrained inside the reactor, wherein the microfilter is configured to be back flushed.