Dual-action decontamination system
AssigneeAbTech Industries, Inc.
InventorRodolfo B. Manzone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Hydrophobic polymer particles (e.g., granules or fragments) employed as filter media, e.g., for filtering runoff water, include an antimicrobial compound on exterior surfaces and can reduce proliferation of microbial organisms as well as sorb chemical contaminants from the water. By employing this dual decontamination action, filter systems employing such particles can improve the quality of runoff water (or other contaminated water streams) and reduce the risk presented by potentially harmful organisms.
Claims11
A fragment of filter media comprising:
- (a) an oil-sorbent, hydrophobic copolymer in a matrix of compliant, hydrophobic, olefinic polymer;
- and
- (b) an antimicrobial compound grafted to the copolymer and polymer;
- wherein the fragment is in contact with runoff water;
- whereby the fragment is capable of both sorbing oil from the runoff water and reducing proliferation of microbial organisms.
A filter system comprising:
- (a) a multitude of irregular, macroscopic fragments comprised of an oil-sorbent, hydrophobic copolymer in a matrix of compliant, hydrophobic polymer;
- (b) an antimicrobial compound grafted to the fragments;
- and
- (c) a filter module supporting the fragments adjacent to an aperture and in contact with runoff water passing into contact with the fragments via the aperture;
- whereby the filter system is capable of both sorbing oil from the runoff water and reducing proliferation of microbial organisms.
A method for improving chemical and biological purity of a runoff water stream containing contaminants, the method comprising directing flow of the water stream through interstices of a multitude of irregular, macroscopic fragments that:
- (a) are comprised of hydrophobic copolymer in a matrix of compliant, hydrophobic polymer and are sorbent of the contaminants;
- and
- (b) have antimicrobial compound on their surfaces;
- whereby one or more targeted contaminants are sorbed from the water and proliferation of microbial organisms is reduced.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.