# US 2020/0392017 A1 · Systems and methods for water purification > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0392017 A1 - Document ID: US20200392017A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/772,559 - Filed: 2017-12-18 - Published: 2020-12-17 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-18 - Assignees: Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development - Applicants: Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development - Inventors: Ahmad Kayvani FARD; Muataz; HUSSIEN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200392017A1 ## CPC - C02F 1/283: {using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them} - B01D 67/00411: {by sintering} - B01D 69/147: {containing embedded adsorbents} - B01D 71/021: {Carbon} - B01D 71/025: {Aluminium oxide} - C02F 1/288: {using composite sorbents, e.g. coated, impregnated, multi-layered} - C02F 1/444: {by ultrafiltration or microfiltration} - B01D 17/02: Separation of non-miscible liquids - B01D 2325/28: Degradation or stability over time - C02F 2101/006: {Radioactive compounds} - C02F 2101/103: {Arsenic compounds} - C02F 2101/32: Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil - 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) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract The present disclosure provides systems and methods for treatment of produced water that combine a separation technique using an inorganic membrane (Al2O3) with an adsorption process using activated carbon in the membrane. In one embodiment, a water tank includes an inlet and an outlet, and the membrane is in fluid communication with the inlet. The tank is configured to receive a spent water stream that includes a contaminant. In operation, the spent water stream is contacted with the membrane so as to strip at least a portion of the contaminant from the spent water stream. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for water purification, the system comprising: a water tank comprising an inlet and an outlet, the tank configured to receive a spent water stream that includes a contaminant; and a membrane in fluid communication with the inlet, the membrane comprising alumina and activated carbon, and the membrane configured to contact the spent water stream and strip at least a portion of the contaminant from the spent water stream. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the contaminant includes at least one selected from the group consisting of emulsified oil, barium, arsenic, lead, and strontium. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the membrane strips the contaminant in entirety from the spent water stream. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the activated carbon has an average particle size in the range of 0.025 mm to 0.18 mm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the alumina has an average particle size in the range of 0.1 μm to 10 μm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the alumina has an average particle size in the range of 0.1 μm to 5 μm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises 5% to 40% activated carbon by weight. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprises 10% to 30% activated carbon by weight. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the membrane is 0.5 mm to 20 mm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the membrane consists of alumina and activated carbon. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the membrane is tubular and configured for an industrial scale water treatment. ### Claim 12 A method of purifying water, the method comprising: providing a spent water stream that includes a contaminant; and contacting the spent water stream with a membrane so as to strip at least a portion of the contaminant from the spent water stream, the membrane comprising alumina and activated carbon. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the contaminant includes at least one selected from the group consisting of emulsified oil, barium, arsenic, lead, and strontium. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the membrane strips the contaminant in entirety from the spent water stream. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the activated carbon has an average particle size in the range of 0.025 mm to 0.18 mm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the alumina has an average particle size in the range of 0.1 ∞m to 10 μm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the alumina has an average particle size in the range of 0.1 μm to 5 μm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the membrane comprises 5% to 40% activated carbon by weight. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the membrane comprises 10% to 30% activated carbon by weight. ### Claim 20 (canceled) ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the membrane consists of alumina and activated carbon. ### Claim 22 (canceled)