Back to results
US 4,872,993 AGranted
Waste treatment
OwnerGeorge C. Harrisoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Processes and techniques are described for treating waste water (domestic and industrial) to remove organic matter and heavy metals. Clay and flocculating agent are added to the waste water to cause separation of a sludge. The sludge is fired at high temperature in particle form to produce ceramic particles. Organic matter is oxidized; heavy metals are bound within the ceramic particles and cannot leach out. The ceramic particles are useful as aggregate (e.g., in concrete) and in landscaping.
Claims12
A process for treatment of waste water comprising the steps of:
- (a) mixing with said waste water a finely-divided clay to form a blend, wherein said waste water includes organic matter and heavy metals;
- (b) adding a flocculant to said blend in a manner such that said clay bonds to said flocculant to form a sludge;
- (c) separating said sludge from said water;
- (d) reducing water content of said sludge to less than about 60% by weight;
- (e) shaping said sludge to form particles of desired size and shape;
- (f) firing said sludge particles at a temperature of about 2,000 .degree. F. for a time sufficient to convert said sludge particles to expanded ceramic particles.
3 more elements
A process for making an expanded ceramic particle comprising the steps of:
- (a) mixing finely-divided clay with water containing waste material to form a blend;
- wherein said waste material includes organic matter and heavy metals;
- (b) adding a flocculant to said blend in a manner such that said clay bonds to said flocculant to form a sludge;
- (c) separating said sludge from said water;
- (d) reducing water content of said sludge to less thin 60% by weight;
- (e) shaping said sludge to form particles;
- (f) firing said sludge particles at a temperature of about 2,000 .degree. F. for a time sufficient to convert said sludge particles to expanded ceramic particles.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.