US 5,122,165 AGranted

Removal of volatile compounds and surfactants from liquid

AssigneeInternational Environmental Systems, Inc.

InventorsLawrence K. Wang, Orest Hrycyk, Lubomyr Kurylko

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Abstract

A process system and apparatus for removal of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), volatile inorganic compounds (VICs) and surfactants from a contaminated liquid stream, more particularly groundwater, by a combination of pH adjustment, chemical reaction, ultraviolet reaction, gas stripping, scrubbing, adsorption and regeneration is described. This process system involves liquid pumping; liquid treatment in an enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber; gas purification by a foam collector, a wet scrubber and a self-generative gas-phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor; and recycling of GAC-purified gas for further liquid treatment by dispersed gas stripping. The process system is extremely cost-effective for removal of VOCs, VICs, and surfactants, and eliminates the problem of secondary gas contamination caused by conventional air stripping towers.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An improved method for removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), volatile inorganic compounds (VICs), and surfactants from a contaminated liquid comprises the following steps:

discharging the contaminated liquid by pumping or gravity into an enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber (or reactor) which is equipped with a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, liquid drains, a gas inlet, a gas outlet, gas releases, a sparger system, a vacuum breaker, a manhole with cover, an enclosure, chemical feeders, ultraviolet (UV) tubes, vacuum/pressure gauges, a demister pad, a liquid flow meter, a gas flow meter, a gas mover, a foam collector, a wet scrubber, a VOC condensator, a condensed VOC collector, a gas phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor, operating valves, regenerating valves, sampling ports, and a gas feed point,
adjusting the hydraulic residence time to conform to different influent liquid flow rates and providing sufficient gas head space above the liquid level in said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
feeding liquid chemicals and gas chemicals (including ozone) and turning on the UV tubes for combined pH adjustment, chemical reactions and UV reaction in said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
bubbling gas mixture up through spargers (on said sparger system located at bottom of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber) into liquid phase with said gas mover,
stripping VOCs and VICs from liquid phase into gas phase in said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber by gas bubbles,
sucking the gas containing effluent VOSs, VICs and surfactants from the gas outlet of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber by said gas mover,
transporting said gas effluent by said gas mover through said foam collector for removal of surfactants, through said wet scrubber for removal of VICs, through said demister pad for removal of liquid droplets, through said VOC condensator for VOCs condensation, through said gas phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor for further removal of VOCs, and through the gas inlet for re-entering said sparger system,
regenerating GAC in said gas phase GAC contactor automatically for reuse periodically,
replacing absorbing chemical in said wet scrubber, periodically,
draining and collecting the recovered surface-active foams, VOCs and VICs in liquid form,
supplying more said gas to said sparger system, when necessary,
continuously bubbling said gas chemicals up through spargers on said sparger system for a plurality of times,
treating the liquid inside said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for a specific residence time by gas bubble stripping, pH adjustment, chemical reactions, and UV reaction, and
discharging the liquid effluent of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber through an outlet with a trap (which prevents external gas intrusion into said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber) into a storage tank ready for consumption, disposal or further treatment if needed.

11 more elements

A complete apparatus of purifying contaminated liquid containing high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), volatile inorganic compounds (VICs), and surfactants comprises in combination:

an influent pump connected to a liquid inlet pipe of said apparatus for pumping said contaminated liquid into said apparatus, through the liquid inlet pipe,
chemical feeders connected to said liquid inlet pipe for feeding chemicals to a chemical feed point of said liquid inlet pipe carrying said contaminated liquid,
a liquid flow meter connected to said liquid inlet pipe for measuring the liquid flow rate of said contaminated liquid entering said apparatus,
a liquid sampling control valve connected to said inlet pipe for liquid sampling and analysis,
a liquid flow control valve connected onto said liquid inlet pipe for controlling and adjusting the liquid flow rate,
an enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber connected to said liquid inlet pipe, but after said chemical feeders, said liquid flow meter, said liquid sampling control valve, and said liquid flow control valve, having a sealed enclosure and a bottom thereof as an outside wall of said apparatus, and having a liquid inlet for receiving said contaminated liquid and said chemicals from said liquid inlet pipe for liquid treatment,
a sparger system disposed horizontally within and near bottom of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for distribution of gas bubbles through said contaminated liquid for gas stripping, mixing, and flocculation,
a gas inlet and a gas pipe connected to the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber and said sparger system for transporting gas into said sparger system,
a gas outlet and a gas pipe connected to the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber but at opposite end of said gas inlet for exiting the emitted gas effluent from said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
ultraviolet (UV) tubes disposed of horizontally within said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber but above said sparger system, for disinfection and reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
a vacuum breaker connected on the outside but upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for breaking vacuum when required,
a vacuum/pressure gauge connected on the outside but upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for measuring the gas pressure inside said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
a manhole with cover on the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber, allowing a person to enter said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for service,
a liquid outlet connected to the side wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber at the opposite end of said liquid inlet, for discharge of said liquid treated by said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
a trap connected to said liquid outlet to block outside gas from entering said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
liquid drains located at bottom of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for draining said liquid from said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber when required,
a foam collector connected to said gas outlet and said gas pipe for separating foam from said emitted gas effluent,
a gas mover connected to said gas pipe but positioned after said foam collector, for providing energy and moving and recycling the emitted gas effluent,
a gas flow meter connected to said gas pipe near said gas mover for measuring the gas flow rate passing through said gas mover,
a wet scrubber connected to said gas pipe but after both said gas flow meter and said gas mover for removing volatile inorganic compounds (VICs) from said emitted gas effluent,
a demister pad connected to said gas pipe after said wet scrubber for removal of moisture or humidity from said emitted gas effluent,
a gas inlet sampling port on said gas pipe after said demister for sampling and analysis of the emitted gas effluent before reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by a VOC condensator and a gas phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor,
a gas drain (gas relief valve) on said gas pipe after said gas inlet sampling port for draining or bypassing said emitted gas effluent, when required,
a VOC condensator and a condensed VOC collector both connected to said gas pipe after said gas drain for removal of VOCs and regeneration of GAC,
a gas phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor connected to said gas pipe after said VOC condensator and said condensed VOC collector, for further reduction of VOCs from said emitted gas effluent which has been previously purified by said foam collector, wet scrubber, demister pad, and VOC condensator,
a gas outlet sampling port on said gas pipe after said gas phase GAC contactor for sampling and analysis of the gas phase GAC contactor effluent,
a gas feed point for supplying additional gas(es) to said gas pipe when required,
operating valves connected to said gas pipe between said VOC condensator and said gas phase GAC contactor and being open for normal gas emission control operation, when regenerating valves are closed, and
the regenerating valves connected to said gas pipe between said VOC condensator and said gas phase GAC contactor, and being open for regeneration of GAC when the operating valves are closed.

26 more elements

An apparatus of purifying contaminated liquid containing high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and surfactants comprises in combination:

an influent pump connected to a liquid inlet pipe of said apparatus for pumping said contaminated liquid into said apparatus, through the liquid inlet pipe,
chemical feeders connected to said liquid inlet pipe for feeding chemicals to a chemical feed point of said liquid inlet pipe carrying said contaminated liquid,
a liquid flow meter connected to said liquid inlet pipe for measuring the liquid flow rate of said contaminated liquid entering said apparatus,
a liquid sampling control valve connected to said liquid inlet pipe for liquid sampling and analysis,
a liquid flow control valve connected onto said liquid inlet pipe for controlling and adjusting the liquid flow rate,
an enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber connected to said liquid inlet pipe, but after said chemical feeders, said liquid flow meter, said liquid sampling control valve, and said liquid flow control valve, having a sealed enclosure and a bottom thereof as an outside wall of said apparatus, and having a liquid inlet for receiving said contaminated liquid and said chemicals from said liquid inlet pipe for liquid treatment,
a sparger system disposed horizontally within and near bottom of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for distribution of gas bubbles through said contaminated liquid for gas stripping, mixing, and flocculation,
a gas inlet and a gas pipe connected to the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber and said sparger system for transporting gas into said sparger system,
a gas outlet and a gas pipe connected to the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber but at opposite end of said gas inlet for exiting the emitted gas effluent from said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
ultraviolet (UV) tubes disposed of horizontally within said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber but above said sparger system, for disinfection and reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
a vacuum breaker connected on the outside but upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for breaking vacuum when required,
a vacuum/pressure gauge connected on the outside but upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for measuring the gas pressure inside said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
a manhole with cover on the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber, allowing a person to enter said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for service,
a liquid outlet connected to the side wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber at the opposite end of said liquid inlet, for discharge of said liquid treated by said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
a trap connected to said liquid outlet to block outside gas from entering said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
liquid drains located at bottom of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for draining said liquid from said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber when required,
a foam collector connected to said gas outlet and said gas pipe for separating foam from said emitted gas effluent,
a gas mover connected to said gas pipe but positioned after said foam collector, for providing energy and moving and recycling the emitted gas effluent,
a gas flow meter connected to said gas pipe near said gas mover for measuring the gas flow rate passing through said gas mover,
a demister pad connected to said gas pipe after said gas flow meter and said gas mover for removal of moisture or humidity from said emitted gas effluent,
a gas inlet sampling port on said gas pipe after said demister for sampling and analysis of the emitted gas effluent before reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by a VOC condensator and a gas phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor,
a gas drain (gas relief valve) on said gas pipe after said gas inlet sampling port for draining or bypassing said emitted gas effluent, when required,
a VOC condensator and a condensed VOC collector both connected to said gas pipe after said gas drain for removal of VOCs and regeneration of GAC,
a gas phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor connected to said gas pipe after said VOC condensator and said condensed VOC collector, for further reduction of VOCs from said emitted gas effluent which has been previously purified by said foam collector, demister pad, and VOC condensator,
a gas outlet sampling port on said gas pipe after said gas phase GAC contactor for sampling and analysis of the gas phase GAC contactor effluent,
a gas feed point for supplying additional gas(es) to said gas pipe when required,
operating valves connected to said gas pipe between said VOC condensator and said gas phase GAC contactor and being open for normal gas emission control operation, when regenerating valves are closed, and
the regenerating valves connected to said gas pipe between said VOC condensator and said gas phase GAC contactor, and being open for regeneration of GAC when the operating valves are closed.

25 more elements

An apparatus of purifying contaminated liquid containing high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and volatile inorganic compounds (VICs), comprises in combination:

an influent pump connected to a liquid inlet pipe of said apparatus for pumping said contaminated liquid into said apparatus, through the liquid inlet pipe,
chemical feeders connected to said liquid inlet pipe for feeding chemicals to a chemical feed point of said liquid inlet pipe carrying said contaminated liquid,
a liquid flow meter connected to said liquid inlet pipe for measuring the liquid flow rate of said contaminated liquid entering said apparatus,
a liquid sampling control valve connected to said liquid inlet pipe for liquid sampling and analysis,
a liquid flow control valve connected onto said liquid inlet pipe for controlling and adjusting the liquid flow rate,
an enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber connected to said liquid inlet pipe, but after said chemical feeders, said liquid flow meter, said liquid sampling control valve, and said liquid flow control valve, having a sealed enclosure and a bottom thereof as an outside wall of said apparatus, and having a liquid inlet for receiving said contaminated liquid and said chemicals from said liquid inlet pipe for liquid treatment,
a sparger system disposed horizontally within and near bottom of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for distribution of gas bubbles through said contaminated liquid for gas stripping, mixing, and flocculation,
a gas inlet and gas pipe connected to the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber and said sparger system for transporting gas into said sparger system,
a gas outlet and gas pipe connected to the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber but at opposite end of said gas inlet for exiting the emitted gas effluent from said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
ultraviolet (UV) tubes disposed of horizontally within said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber but above said sparger system, for disinfection and reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
a vacuum breaker connected on the outside but upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for breaking vacuum when required,
a vacuum/pressure gauge connected on the outside but upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for measuring the gas pressure inside said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
a manhole with cover on the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber, allowing a person to enter said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for service,
a liquid outlet connected to the side wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber at the opposite end of said liquid inlet, for discharge of said liquid treated by said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
a trap connected to said liquid outlet to block outside gas from entering said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
liquid drains located at bottom of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for draining said liquid from said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber when required,
a gas mover connected to said gas pipe but positioned after said gas inlet, for providing energy and moving and recycling the emitted gas effluent,
a gas flow meter connected to said gas pipe near said gas mover for measuring the gas flow rate passing through said gas mover,
a wet scrubber connected to said gas pipe but after both said gas flow meter and said gas mover for removing volatile inorganic compounds (VICs) from said emitted gas effluent,
a demister pad connected to said gas pipe after said wet scrubber for removal of moisture or humidity from said emitted gas effluent,
a gas inlet sampling port on said gas pipe after said demister for sampling and analysis of the emitted gas effluent before reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by a VOC condensator and a gas phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor,
a gas drain (gas relief valve) on said gas pipe after said gas inlet sampling port for draining or bypassing said emitted gas effluent, when required,
a VOC condensator and a condensed VOC collector both connected to said gas pipe after said gas drain for removal of VOCs and regeneration of GAC,
a gas phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor connected to said gas pipe after said VOC condensator and said condensed VOC collector, for further reduction of VOCs from said emitted gas effluent which has been previously purified by said wet scrubber, demister pad, and VOC condensator,
a gas outlet sampling port on said gas pipe after said gas phase GAC contactor for sampling and analysis of the gas phase GAC contactor effluent,
a gas feed point for supplying additional gas(es) to said gas pipe when required,
operating valves connected to said gas pipe between said VOC condensator and said gas phase GAC contactor and being open for normal gas emission control operation, when regenerating valves are closed, and
the regenerating valves connected to said gas pipe between said VOC condensator and said gas phase GAC contactor, and being open for regeneration of GAC when the operating valves are closed.

25 more elements

An apparatus of purifying contaminated liquid containing high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and volatile inorganic compounds (VICs), comprises in combination:

an influent pump connected to a liquid inlet pipe of said apparatus for pumping said contaminated liquid into said apparatus, through the liquid inlet pipe,
chemical feeders connected to said liquid inlet pipe for feeding chemicals to a chemical feed point of said liquid inlet pipe carrying said contaminated liquid,
a liquid flow meter connected to said liquid inlet pipe for measuring the liquid flow rate of said contaminated liquid entering said apparatus,
a liquid sampling control valve connected to said liquid inlet pipe for liquid sampling and analysis,
a liquid flow control valve connected onto said liquid inlet pipe for controlling and adjusting the liquid flow rate,
an enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber connected to said liquid inlet pipe, but after said chemical feeders, said liquid flow meter, said liquid sampling control valve, and said liquid flow control valve, having a sealed enclosure and a bottom thereof as an outside wall of said apparatus, and having a liquid inlet for receiving said contaminated liquid and said chemicals from said liquid inlet pipe for liquid treatment,
a sparger system disposed horizontally within and near bottom of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for distribution of gas bubbles through said contaminated liquid for gas stripping, mixing, and flocculation,
a gas inlet and a gas pipe connected to the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber and said sparger system for transporting gas into said sparger system,
a gas outlet and a gas pipe connected to the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber but at opposite end of said gas inlet for exiting the emitted gas effluent from said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
a vacuum breaker connected on the outside but upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for breaking vacuum when required,
a vacuum/pressure gauge connected on the outside but upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for measuring the gas pressure inside said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
a manhole with cover on the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber, allowing a person to enter said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for service,
a liquid outlet connected to the side wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber at the opposite end of said liquid inlet, for discharge of said liquid treated by said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
a trap connected to said liquid outlet to block outside gas from entering said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
liquid drains located at bottom of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for draining said liquid from said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber when required,
a gas mover connected to said gas pipe but positioned after said gas inlet, for providing energy and moving and recycling the emitted gas effluent,
a gas flow meter connected to said gas pipe near said gas mover for measuring the gas flow rate passing through said gas mover,
a wet scrubber connected to said gas pipe but after both said gas flow meter and said gas mover for removing volatile inorganic compounds (VICs) from said emitted gas effluent,
a demister pad connected to said gas pipe after said wet scrubber for removal of moisture or humidity from said emitted gas effluent,
a gas inlet sampling port on said gas pipe after said demister for sampling and analysis of the emitted gas effluent before reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by a VOC condensator and a gas phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor,
a gas drain (gas relief valve) on said gas pipe after said gas inlet sampling port for draining or bypassing said emitted gas effluent, when required,
a VOC condensator and a condensed VOC collector both connected to said gas pipe after said gas drain for removal of VOCs and regeneration of GAC,
a gas phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor connected to said gas pipe after said VOC condensator and said condensed VOC collector, for further reduction of VOCs from said emitted gas effluent which has been previously purified by said wet scrubber, demister pad, and VOC condensator,
a gas outlet sampling port on said gas pipe after said gas phase GAC contactor for sampling and analysis of the gas phase GAC contactor effluent,
a gas feed point for supplying additional gas(es) to said gas pipe when required,
operating valves connected to said gas pipe between said VOC condensator and said gas phase GAC contactor and being open for normal gas emission control operation, when regenerating valves are closed, and
the regenerating valves connected to said gas pipe between said VOC condensator and said gas phase GAC contactor, and being open for regeneration of GAC when the operating valves are closed.

24 more elements

An apparatus of purifying contaminated liquid containing high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and volatile inorganic compounds (VICs) comprises in combination:

an influent pump connected to a liquid inlet pipe of said apparatus for pumping said contaminated liquid into said apparatus, through the liquid inlet pipe,
chemical feeders connected to said liquid inlet pipe for feeding chemicals to a chemical feed point of said liquid inlet pipe carrying said contaminated liquid,
a liquid flow meter connected to said liquid inlet pipe for measuring the liquid flow rate of said contaminated liquid entering said apparatus,
a liquid sampling control valve connected to said liquid inlet pipe for liquid sampling and analysis,
a liquid flow control valve connected onto said liquid inlet pipe for controlling and adjusting the liquid flow rate,
an enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber connected to said liquid inlet pipe, but after said chemical feeders, said liquid flow meter, said liquid sampling control valve, and said liquid flow control valve, having a sealed enclosure and a bottom thereof as an outside wall of said apparatus, and having a liquid inlet for receiving said contaminated liquid and said chemicals from said liquid inlet pipe for liquid treatment,
a sparger system disposed horizontally within and near bottom of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for distribution of gas bubbles through said contaminated liquid for gas stripping, mixing, and flocculation,
a gas inlet and a gas pipe connected to the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber and said sparger system for transporting gas into said sparger system,
a gas outlet and a gas pipe connected to the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber but at opposite end of said gas inlet for exiting the emitted gas effluent from said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
a vacuum breaker connected on the outside but upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for breaking vacuum when required,
a vacuum/pressure gauge connected on the outside but upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for measuring the gas pressure inside said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
a manhole with cover on the upper wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber, allowing a person to enter said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for service,
a liquid outlet connected to the side wall of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber at the opposite end of said liquid inlet, for discharge of said liquid treated by said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
a trap connected to said liquid outlet to block outside gas from entering said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber,
liquid drains located at bottom of said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber for draining said liquid from said enclosed dispersed gas stripping chamber when required,
a gas mover connected to said gas pipe but positioned after said gas inlet, for providing energy and moving and recycling the emitted gas effluent,
a gas flow meter connected to said gas pipe near said gas mover for measuring the gas flow rate passing through said gas mover,
a wet scrubber connected to said gas pipe but after both said gas flow meter and said gas mover for removing volatile inorganic compounds (VICs) from said emitted gas effluent,
a demister pad connected to said gas pipe after said wet scrubber for removal of moisture or humidity from said emitted gas effluent,
a gas inlet sampling port on said gas pipe after said demister for sampling and analysis of the emitted gas effluent before reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by a gas phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor,
a gas drain (gas relief valve) on said gas pipe after said gas inlet sampling port for draining or bypassing said emitted gas effluent, when required,
a gas phase granular activated carbon (GAC) contactor connected to said gas pipe after said gas drain, for reduction of VOCs from said emitted gas effluent which has been previously purified by said wet scrubber and demister pad,
a gas outlet sampling port on said gas pipe after said gas phase GAC contactor for sampling and analysis of the gas phase GAC contactor effluent, and
a gas feed point for supplying additional gas(es) to said gas pipe when required.

21 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.