Apparatus for the purification of cyanide-containing waste water

Abstract

A two-stage apparatus for the purification of cyanide-containing waste water allows relatively clean water to be obtained from waste water containing high concentrations of cyanide and solids in suspension. The apparatus in its first stage includes a bioreactor having a biocultivator (27) for cultivating microorganisms. A reservoir means (1) in communication with the cultivator (27) is provided for receiving and treating a mixture of waste water and microorganisms, having a downwardly converging conical base. Oxygenating means (8) are provided in a region proximate the conical base, for supplying oxygen to the mixture. Temperature regulating means (7) and stirring means in the form of a stirrer or pump (6) are also provided. The second stage of the apparatus comprises a sorption chamber (28) in communication with the reservoir means, for containing an ion-exchange resin, activated carbon, charcoal, or other sorption material. Oxygenation means (31) and an airlift (32) for stirring the mixture are provided in conjunction with the sorption chamber (28). Conduit means (33) are further provided to allow the mixture of sorption material and waste water at the second stage to be thrown onto an inclined straining screen (34), whereby said sorption material may roll down the screen back into chamber (28), while the cleansed water passes therethrough and may be collected.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.