Adsorbent Structures of Activated Alumina and Metal Carbonates and Methods of Use for the Removal of Phosphates and Ammonia from Water
AssigneeU.S. Environmental Protection Agency
InventorMallikarjuna Nadagouda
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Abstract
High surface area activated alumina and magnesium carbonate structures are used to adsorb aqueous phosphate and ammonia for recovery and repurposing as a fertilizer. A binder is utilized to aid in the formation of useful structures and to increase porosity and the available surface area for adsorption upon calcining.
Claims21
A water contaminant adsorbing structure comprising a water-permeable aggregate of activated alumina and a substantially water insoluble metal carbonate substrate formed into a user desired shape, wherein said substrate adsorbs at least one of phosphate and ammonia, and said aggregate has nanopores and a multiBET surface area of at least 20 m2/g.
A method of removing contaminants from water comprising placing a water-permeable, contaminant adsorbing structure having nanopores in water contaminated with at least one of phosphates and ammonia, wherein said structure is characterized by having a multiBET surface area of at least 20 m2/g and is formed from a substrate that adsorbs at least one of phosphates and ammonia, wherein said substrate is an aggregate of activated alumina and a substantially water insoluble metal carbonate.
A fertilizer comprising at least one of phosphates and ammonia desorbed from activated alumina used in conjunction with at least one substantially water insoluble metal carbonate in forming at least one porous structure which had previously adsorbed said at least one of said phosphates and said ammonia from aqueous media, wherein said structure possessed nanopores and a multiBET surface area of at least 20 m2/g.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.