Back to results
US 7,172,691 B2Granted
Method and system for removal of contaminants from aqueous solution
OwnerEric H. Dunlop, Ravendra Naidu +1inventors
InventorsEric H. Dunlop, Ravendra Naidu, Megharaj Mallavarapu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for removal of uranium and other contaminants from aqueous solution, utilizing live algae, are described. The system includes a bioreactor, in which a reaction mixture of live algae, preferably photosynthetic algae, and contaminated solution are introduced; a means for introducing carbon dioxide gas in the reaction mixture; a means for exposing the reaction mixture to light; means for mixing and impelling the reaction mixture; and means for separating out algae from remediated solution.
Claims31
A system for removal of a contaminant from an aqueous solution containing the contaminant, utilizing photosynthetic algae that interacts with said contaminant to remove it from the aqueous solution, comprising:
- a tank, the tank having at least two side walls and a floor, for containing a reaction mixture, the tank being open on its top side for exposure of the reaction mixture to light and air, the tank also having an inlet for introducing fresh reaction mixture into the tank and an outlet spaced apart from the inlet pipe, for withdrawing reaction mixture from said tank, the reaction mixture including a quantity of aqueous solution that includes said contaminant and a quantity of photosynthetic algae that interacts with at least a portion of said contaminant to remove said contaminant from the aqueous solution while the reaction mixture is contained within the tank;
- mixing means positioned for turning and operable to turn the reaction mixture, to expose at least a portion of photosynthetic algae contained in the reaction mixture to light and air;
- means for exposing the reaction mixture to light;
- a source of carbon dioxide gas;
- means connected to said source of carbon dioxide gas for introducing carbon dioxide gas into the reaction mixture;
- and
- means for separating algae from the reaction mixture to produce remediated aqueous solution, said means being connected to the outlet.
4 more elements
A system for removal of a contaminant from an aqueous solution containing the contaminant, utilizing photosynthetic algae that interacts with said contaminant to remove it from the aqueous solution, comprising:
- a first reactor, including an elongated closed tube, at least a portion of which is transparent, formed in a looped configuration, said tube having a first end and a second end, with a recycle tube connecting said first end and said second end, wherein a reaction mixture formed of contaminated aqueous solution and photosynthetic algae is cycled though the first reactor, passing through said closed tube and said recycle tube back into said closed tube;
- a flow splitter, positioned in said recycle tube, the flow splitter connected also to a bleed tube, whereby a portion of reaction mixture flowing through said first reactor can be diverted into said bleed tube, the remaining portion of said reaction mixture flowing through said recycle tube and back into said closed tube of the first reactor;
- a second reactor, including a second elongated closed tube, at least a portion of which is transparent, formed in a looped configuration, said tube having a first end and a second end, the second reactor being connected to the first reactor by said bleed tube, and wherein a portion of reaction mixture cycling in said first reactor is diverted to said second reactor;
- a second recycle tube connected at said second end of said second reactor and extending to the first recycle tube of said first reactor;
- means for impelling the reaction mixture through the first and second reactors;
- a source of light for exposure to the reaction mixture in the first and second reactors;
- mixing means for rotating the reaction mixture in said first and second reactors, to enhance exposure of the photosynthetic algae of the reaction mixture to light;
- a means for withdrawing reaction mixture from said second reactor;
- and
- means for separating said photosynthetic algae from said reaction mixture following withdrawal of said reaction mixture from said second reactor, to thereby produce remediated aqueous solution.
7 more elements
A system for removing a contaminant from water in a body of water, comprising:
- a plurality of gas lift reactors, positioned adjacent said body of water at selected points, each of said reactors including
- a down coming tube, vertically oriented, having a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end being closed, and the top end being connected to an inlet pipe for drawing water from said body of water into said down coming tube,
- a riser tube positioned in the down coming tube, said riser tube having a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end being open and positioned above the bottom of the down coming tube, the top end exiting the down coming tube and being connected to an outlet pipe draining into said body of water,
- means for injecting compressed air into said riser tube to create a voidage, said voidage inducing water in said down coming tube to be drawn into and up said riser tube and out of the riser tube and back through the outlet pipe into the body of water, the movement of water into and out of each said reactor inducing mixing and circulation of water in said body of water, and
- means for introducing carbon dioxide gas into said water in the down coming tube, thereby carbonating water flowing through said gas lift reactor;
- and
- means for introducing algae into said body of water, said algae interacting with the contaminant in said water to incorporate the contaminant in the algae and so remove the contaminant from the water;
- and
- means for removing said algae from the water of said body of water, to thereby remove contaminant from said water.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.