US 4,906,338 A · Method and apparatus for removing volatile organic constituents of gasoline from gasoline-water mixture, and from contaminated water at underground sites

Abstract

A method for removing the volatile constituents from gasoline and volatile organic chemicals from contaminated potable water when a fluid including gasoline-water mixture and when contaminated potable water is introduced into a vertical tower includes the steps of flowing the gasoline-water fluid and the water downward in a tower over and in contact with media trays stacked in courses in the tower. The media trays, either circular or square, fit closely within the tower inner wall, such trays are aluminum or molded plastic frames one inch by one inch angles one-eighth inch thick, with a plurality of one and one-half inch wide slats one-quarter of an inch thick on the top of the frame; the slats being spaced apart not less than one-half inch nor more than three-quarters of an inch. The stacked trays are so arranged in courses that the slats of trays of alternate courses are disposed parallel to the slats of trays in alternate courses, but the slats of intermediary trays are disposed at ninety degrees to the slats of trays in the alternate courses. A column of air flowing upward through the media trays entrains the volatile constituents released from the gasoline, and the volatile organic chemicals liberated from the water, when the fluid contacts the media in the tower. A structure for exhausting the air and entrained volatile constituents is provided, and a structure is provided for removing fluid from the bottom of the tower.

Claims6

Dependent claims

An apparatus for removing the volatile constituents from a gasoline-water mixture and the volatile chemicals in a contaminated potable water comprising:

a vertical tower having an upper end and a lower end;
a support in said tower spaced apart from a base on which said tower stands;
means for introducing the gasoline-water mixture and the contaminated potable water into said upper end of said tower and flowing said mixture and water downwardly therein;
means for flowing an upward counter current of air in said tower;
a plenum created between said support and said base on which said tower stands;
said means for flowing including a forced air blower situated adjacent said plenum and being fluidly interconnected therewith;
a plurality of media trays stacked in courses on said support, said media trays being disposed in close proximity to the inner wall surface of said tower;
each media tray comprising a frame that is angle-shaped and is one inch by one inch by one-eighth inch thick, having on the top surface of said frame a plurality of slats, each slat being one and one-half inches wide and one-quarter inch thick, said slats being spaced apart not less than one-half inch nor more than three-quarters of an inch and having a slightly convex top surface;
said slats being situated allowing said upward counter current of air to pass thereby and therethrough;
means for exhausting said air and the entrained liberated volatile constituents from said mixture and from said water;
and
means for removing precipitate from the bottom of said tower.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for removing volatile organic constituents of gasoline from gasoline-water mixture, and from contaminated water at underground sites

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for removing volatile organic constituents of gasoline from gasoline-water mixture, and from contaminated water at underground sites

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6