Disinfection and purification of fluids using focused laser radiation
AssigneeSterling Drug Inc.
InventorsWilliam M. Copa, Wayne B. Gitchel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disinfection of aqueous media contaminated with microorganisms is effected by contacting said media with a gas phase in which a plasma is generated by focused laser radiation. Similarly, wastewaters containing organic susbstances are purified by contacting them with an oxygen-containing gas phase in which a plasma is generated by focused laser radiation which promotes oxidation of the organic substances to innocuous products.
Claims17
A process for disinfecting an aqueous fluid contaminated with microorganisms, which comprises contacting said fluid with a gas selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, argon, helium, neon, carbon dioxide, and a mixture of two or more of said gases in which a continuous plasma is generated by multiple pulses of focused laser radiation said plasma containing ultraviolet light, ions, X-ray, electrons and neutrons, and rapidly transferring said plasma to said aqueous fluid for a time sufficient to disinfect said aqueous fluid.
A process for reducing the chemical oxygen demand of a wastewater, which comprises contacting said wastewater with an oxygen-containing gas in which a continuous plasma is generated by multiple pulses of focused laser radiation said plasma containing ultraviolet light, ions, x-ray, electrons, neutrons, and ozone, and rapidly transferring said plasma to said waste-water for a time sufficient to reduce said chemical oxygen demand.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.