Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1 1 J 62~6
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1.
Background of the Invention
The quantity and variety of pollutants introduced
into our lakes, rivers and streams from dom~stic and
industrial sources has increased at an alarming rate in
jl recent years. Pollutants ranging from organic wastes to
I toxic chemicals have been found in surface waters at levels
¦ far in excess of the water's natural capability to oxidize
j them. In an effort to improve water quality, domestic
li and industrial polluters have been required to develop
'I treatment systems capable of removing a substantial amount
~ of the organic and inorganic wastes from the water they
¦ utilize, prior to its return to surface water sources.
¦ Several prior art systems have been developed
¦ for the treatment of water contaminated with organic
; I wastes~ cyanides~ phenolic compounds heavy metals and
~ the like. The term "water" as used herein is intended to
include any water containing undesirable contaminants or
impurities, including but not limited to, the above
named impurities. A typical treatment system employed
chlorine gas as the reactive agent. However, chlorine was
found to have limited oxidizing and bond cleavage capabilities
and proved to be difficult to use effectively in purifying
! the water. Systems using chlorine gas generally consist of
several holding tanks, the pH of the water in each tank
l' being carefully monitored and controlled within specific
25 ¦I ranges throughout the treatment process. As the water to
be treated is introduced into the first holding tank, the
~I pH of the water is raised to about 12 and transferred to
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1 1 62664
I!
¦I the second tank where a suitable flocculent is introduced,
; causing the metal ions produced by reaction with the
¦ chlorine gas to settle out of the solution for later
I removal by a filter. In a third tank, the pH is lowered
I to a range of 6 to 9.
The apparatus for this cumbersome treatment
process is expensive to construct, and the operational
costs are substantial as constant monitoring of the pH
levels is required during operation In addition, the
bond cleavage capability of chlorine gas is limited. For
example, chlorine gas will not react to break down the
carbon-nitrogen bond found in cyanide molecules, such
as sodium or copper cyanide, and these chemicals are very
- difficult to remove from water by filtration.
The superior bacteriocidal, viricidal, oxidizing
and bond cleavage capabilities of ozone have been known for
many years. However, the major factor preventing the
widespread use of ozone in water treatment systems in
this country, as an alternative to chlorine gas, is the
prohibitive costs of purchasing, operating and maintaining
existing types of ozone generators. Prior art ozone
generators produce ozone primarily by electrostatic
corona. Two or more discharging surfaces, which form a
condenser with an air gap, are disposed at a distance
from one another and may or may not be furnished with a
dielectric element. A certain electrostatic flux density
will cause pale violet light to appear adjacent the
conductive surfaces. If the air between the conductive
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1 1 1 6266~
surfaces is adequately dehumidified, and proper levels of
voltage and frequency are obtained, the discharge of
electricity between the surfaces will be substantially
j, silent, with very little discha~ge of sparks, and a high
5 1I proportion of the generated light will consist of ultra-
i violet rays. This silent discharge or electrostatic coror.a
¦ produces ozone in a relatively highly charged state.
The efficiency of ozone production by electro-
1, static corona is dependent upon the shape of the surfaces
¦ of the electrode, the dielectric pressure, and the humidity
of the air between the conductive surfaces. For optimum
! production of ozone a device for dehumidification is
¦ required, which adds substantially to the operating costs
of conventional generators. Existing ozone generators are
also expensive to purchase, requiring a sizeable initial
capital investment. In addition, conventional generators
produce oxides of nitrogen, which combine with water vapor
in the ambient air to form corrosive nitric acid.
Maintenance costs are thus relatively hlgh as parts of
the generators corroded by nitric acid may require repair
or replacement.
Sur~ary of the Invention
! Accordingly~ the present invention provides
, a continuous flow, batch treatment system for the removal
,, of organic and inorganic wastes from water, including a
, unique modular ozone generator which produces ozone having
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¦' oxidi~in~ and bond cleavage capabilities superior to that
of high voltage ozone produced by conventional generators.
Ii Complex phenols, cyanides, heavy metals, bacteria, and
I the like contained in water are removed or reduced to
1I harmless forms after treatment by the present invention.
The system consists of a holding tank which
~¦ supplies water to be treated to a reaction tank~ The
ozone produced by the modular ozone generator, discussed
I in detail below, is introduced into the reaction tank
! through diffusion means disposed about the circumference
of the reaction tank at its base. The water is circulated
through a conduit attaching at opposite ends to the top
and bottom of the reaction tank. Metal oxides and other
precipitants produced by reaction with the ozone are
filtered out of the water by a filter disposed
within the conduit. The water is circulated through the
system until the impurities are broken down to harmless
forms ox filtered out. At that time, a monitor opens a
drain line to remove the treated water from the reaction
tank and then activates an infeed pump which fills the
reaction tank with more water as soon as the treated water
is completely drained. The circulation process and ozone
treatment is then repeated for the new batch of water.
The present system thus creates impurities
contained in water without the necessity for pH adjustment
or the addition of flocculents. Complex compounds are
ll broken up entirely or reduced to harmless forms capable
~ of filtration. The entire treatment process is acc~mplished
1 1 62664
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in a closed system, which automatically drains the treated
, water and refills itself with a new batch of water for treat-
ment.
The modular ozone generator of the present
¦1 invention produces ozone by disassociation of oxygen
1' molecules in an ambient air stream using a commercially
¦! available ultraviolet light source. The generating
device is comprised of an elongated hollow vessel formed
I of metal or plastic, which is sealed at both ends with
¦ caps. One cap is formed with an inlet conduit and the
other an outlet conduit to permit the ingress of an alr
stream and the egress of an ozone-air mixture. Disposed
within the vessel is an ultraviolet light source which
produces a certain percentage of its output in the range
of 149 nanometers, which is the disassociation spectrum
¦ of the oxygen molecule. As the air stream is passed over
¦ the ultraviolet light source, a unique ozone molecule is
produced having a neutral charge or a slightly positive
polarity, as opposed to the highly negatively charged
ozone produced by conventional high voltage electric
discharge systems. The amount and concentration of
ozone produced is a function of the air pressure within
- the vessel, the diameter of the vessel and the air flow
! volume through the vessel.
l In view of the deficiencies and limitations of
¦~ existing water treatment systems, it is an object of
the present invention to provide a continuous batch
', treatment system for the removal of organic and inorganic
wastes from water which includes a modular ozone generator.
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1 ~ 62664
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¦', It is a furthex object of this invention to
¦I provide a fully automatic waste removal system ~or water
jl which monitors the level of impurities, releases the
! treated water when fully cleaned, and then subsequently
¦ supplies itself with another batch of contaminated
water for treatment
It is another object of the present invention
to provide a modular ozone generator which produces ozone
by disassociation of the oxygen molecule.
¦ It is a.still further object of the present
¦ invention to provide a modular ozone generator which
¦ produces a molecule of ozone which is generally neutral
¦ in charge or with a slight positive charge, having
~ significantly improved bond cleavage and oxidation
I properties, as compared with the high voltage ozone
¦ produced by prior art conventional generators.
Further objects of the present invention will
become apparent through consideration of the following
¦ description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is an over-all schematic view of the
continuous batch treatment system of the present invention
including the modular ozone generator;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the
modular ozone generator, having a standard compressor
¦~ means for providing an air flow through the vessel;
¦ Figure 3 is an over-all schematic view of a
i
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treatment system employing the ozone generator of the
present invention, specifically adapted for the treatment
of water in flow-through systems such as that of a
I conventional low velocity swimming pool system;
Figure 4 is an over-all schematic view of a
continuous.treatment system for removal of phenols,
. ~ cyanides and heavy metals, which also employs the ozone
¦ produced by the generator of the subject invention;
Figure 5 is an over-all schematic view of a
~ batch treatment system for.the removal of cyanides,
phenols and heavy metals, which employs the ozone produced
by the generator of the subject invention; and,
. Figure 6 is an over-all schematic view of a
. well-water treatment system using the ozone generator of
the present invention for the removal of sulfides, iron
and manganese.
Description of the Invention
Referring now to Figure 1, a continuous batch
. treatment system is shown for the removal of cyanides,
phenols, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses and the like from
water. The system is equipped with a modular ozone
¦ generator 11, discussed in detail below, which eliminates
the need for pH control of the water durin~ the treatment
I process and enables the system to be compact in construction
1i as compared to existing systems using chlorine gas.
Generally, the system consists of a first tank containing
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1 1 6266 4
untreated water in communication with a second tank.
j The untreated water is pumped into the second tank
¦ where ozone is introduced, for treatment of the impurities
¦ contained in the water. The water is circulated through
I a conduit connected to the second tank until the impurities
are filtered out or broken down, whereupon the now treated
water is drained, and more untreated water from the
first tank is pumped into the second tank for treatment.
More specifically, the system includes a
reaction tank 29 closed at the top and partially filled
with the water 30 to be treated. A conduit 35 is
connected to the bottom of reaction tank 29 at one end,
and at the other end to the upper portion of the reaction
tank 29 at a point above-the level of water 30 within the
reaction tank 29. Ozone produced by the ozone generator
11, is introduced into the reaction tank 29 through an
ozone line 33 connected to at least four foraminous or
microporous diffusers 31 disposed about the circumference
of the reaction tank 29 near its base. The critical
treatment process is accomplished in the reaction
tank 29, as the ozone is bubbled throughout the water 30
in quantities sufficient to break-up the chemical bonds
of unwanted impurities or oxidize them to form precipitants
capable of filtration.
The water 30 is continually pumped through
¦I conduit 35 by pump 37 for more complete circulation and
¦I dispersion of ozone throughout the water 30. Precipitants
formed by the ozone during the treatment process are filtered
out of the water 30 by a filter 39 which is connected to
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¦I conduit 35. A monitor 41, in communication with conduit
35, measures the level of impurities within the water 30
, as the treatment process progresses. A drain line 45
I! having an outlet valve 47 disposed therealong~ is connected
jl to conduit 35 adjacent the monitor 41 to provide an outlet
¦~ for the water 30 when treatment is completed. A line valve
¦ 43 is placed in conduit 35 to control the flow of water
30 therethrough.
I The operation of valves 43 and 47 is controlled
by the monitor 41. During the treatment process, the
monitor 41 closes outlet valve 47 and opens line valve
43 to allow the water 30 to circulate through conduit
35 and return to the reaction tank 29 for further
treatment. When a predetermined proportion of impurities
has been removed from the water 30 through reaction
with the ozone and filtration by the filter 39, the monitor
41 will automatically close line valve 43 and open outlet
valve 47 to allow the treated water to escape into drain
line 45. A holding tank 49, containing untxeated water,
is connected to the reaction tank 29 by an inlet conduit
50. When the reaction tank is completely drained of
treated water, an inlet pump 51 is activated by the monitor
41 to fill the reaction tank 29 with untreated water from
holding tank 49. The outlet valve 47 is closed and line
valve 43 is opened simultaneously with the activation of inlet
pump 51, and the treatment process is then repeated.
¦~ A series of nozzles 53 attached to conduit 35
~¦ at the top of the reaction tank 29 are provided to reduce
~I foaming at the surface of the water 30, and also to
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1 J 626fi4
¦~ recapture ozone which escapes from the water 30 within the
. reaction tank 29. The ozone which is not recaptured by
nozzles 53 passes through inlet conduit 50 and into a
I diffuser 31 or preliminary treatment of the water 30 in
~ holding tank 49. Thus, very little ozone is wasted by this
system,.and its bacteriocidal, viricidal and oxidizing
capabilities are used efficiently.
¦ Referring now to Figure 2, the single module
¦ ozone generator of the present invention is depicted generally
¦ by reference 11. The generator 11 is comprised of
¦ an elongated hollow vessel 13 open at both ends, which can
¦ be made of a metal or plastic. The vessel 13 is
sealed at each end by caps 15 and 17 formed with conduits
19 and 21, respectively, which extend into the interior
of vessel 13.
Disposed in the center of vessel 13 is a com-
mercially available ultraviolet light source 23,
powered by a standard fluorescent lamp ballast, which
contacts electrical connections 22 mounted to end caps
¦ 15 and 17. The .ultraviolet light source 23 used in the
. embodiment of Figure 1 is a commercially available
Model G376T6VH lamp, or a suitable equivalent. This lamp,
in comparison to standard ultraviolet lamps, has a higher
percentage of its output in the 149 nanometer range, which
I is the wavelength at which oxygen is disassociated into
I atomic oxygenr making it possible to form ozone. The
~I glass used in the manufacture of this lamp is a high
quaiity silica quartz which permits the passage of a
higher quantity of the 149 nanometer wavelength ultraviolet
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1, 1
light than other available glasses.
, In the embodiment of Figure 1, compressor 27
¦~ forces an air stream, under pressure, through vessel 13
i from conduit 19 to conduit 21. As the air stream passes
I over the ultraviolet light source 23, oxygen molecules are
disassociated into atomic oxygen which, as is well known,
combines with oxygen molecules to form ozone. An
alternative embodiment may be provided, wherein a vacuum
I means (not shown) is applied to the conduit 21, creating
j a negative pressure at the conduit 19 to draw an ambient
¦ air stream through vessel 13.
¦ The exact atomic configuration of the ozone
molecule produced by generator 11 is unknown and different
I theories have been posited which may explain why this ozone
j molecule has a neutral or slightly positive charge as
compared to the highly negatively charged ozone molecules
praduced by conventional high voltage generators. It is
believed that the ozone produced by generator 11 may have an
atomic confiyuration of 05 or 6 instead of 03 which is
the most common form of ozone. It has recently been dis-
covered, that the product of generator 11 is a mixture of
¦ ozone and nitrogen gas in which nascent atomic oxygen is
formed having a substantially neutral charge.
j In any event, it has been found that this neutral
11 or slightly positive ozone molecule possesses unique chemical
!i properties and substantial oxidizing and bond cleavage
capabilities. The ozone produced by generator 11 has proven
1~ to be an extremely reactive and aggressive form of ozone,
! which is much more powerful and efficient in the treatment of
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I! of water than the negatively charged ozone produced by
¦~ conventional high voltage generators.
¦ The bond cleavage capability of high voltage
j, ozone is limited. For example, high voltage ozone will
¦ simply oxidize complex c~anide compounds to form the
i cyanate. The neutral or slightly positive ozone formed
I by generator 11, however, has the bond cleavage capability
¦ to break the carbon-nitrogen bond in cyanide compounds.
¦ The metal ions produced from the reaction of these cyanide
compounds with the ozone formed by generator 11 are then
oxidized to form a metal oxide or the lowest stable salt,
which may be readily removed from water by filtration.
High voltage ozone generally reacts with metal ions to form
the metal hydroxide which is difficult to reclaim or filter.
The exceptional bond cleavage capability of ozone formed
by generator 11 has also been observed in the treatment
of water containing various phenolic compounds including
chlorinated phenols and polychlorinated biphenyls.
Of course, properties attributable to conventionally
produced ozone, such as the removal of organic wastes,
odors, and tastes from water are accornplished by the ozone
formed by generator 11. However, because of the highly
reactive nature of this ozone, concentrations may be used
which are 10 to 20 times less than would be required using
¦ high voltage ozone, while maintaining the same degree of
¦ treatment effectiveness. This is important in that low
concentration ozone in the range of 1000 ppm for example, is
much less hazardous to handle than the high concentration
ozone in the range of 10,000 ppm to 20,000 ppm of conventional
13.
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~, ~
generators. In addition, high conccntration 070ne tends
to produce ozone bearing off gases from treatment due to
poor absorption in the water which is not true of the ozone
produced by generator ll.
S It has been found that the ultraviolvet
disassociation of oxygen to form ozone within vessel 13
I produces no oxides of nitrogen. This is significant in
¦ that oxides of nitrogen, formed by conventional ozone
¦ generators, will form nitric acid which causes substantial
corrosion and maintenance problems in existing types of
generators.
- The generator ll is designed to produce
maximum concentrations of ozone in the air/ozone stream
leaving vessel 13, while maintaining the neutral or slightly
positive charge on the ozone. The output characteristics
of generator ll, having a single module, are aependent on
the diameter of the vessel 13, the flow rate of the ambient
air st~eam through the vessel 13, and the pressure developed
within the vessel 13' Ozone production is obtained from
the generator ll using a vessel 13 having an outside diameter
of from 2 to 6 inches in a pressure range within the
vessel of from 1 to 25 psi and at a flow rate of ambient
air through the vessel of from ~.l to lO cubic feet per
minute. It has been found, using the standard 36" ultraviolet
light source 23, as depicted in Figure l, that the maximum
concentration of ozone is produced in a pressure range of
between 5 to lO psi, at a flow rate of between .5 and 2.0 cubic
¦ feet per minute, ~ithin a vessel 13 having an outside diameter
of 4 to 6 inches. The above-identified values are optimum
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11 1 162664
conditi~Ds for the production of the highest conce~trations
of neutral or slightly positive ozone and changes in the
vessel diameter or flow rate or vessel pressure, outside
, of the optimum ranges depicted above, will create a marked
5 I reduction in the 020ne concentration. Such changes may
be desirable however, to alter the output concentration of
generator 11 to achieve a particular concentration for a
given application.
I In addition, large quantities and higher
concentrations of ozone can be produced by combining any
number of individual modules to form a combination generator
having a plurality of vessels 13. Thus an efficient
means of forming a highly reactive molecule of ozone is
provided which is constructed in modular units which may be
combined as desired to produce enough ozone for a variety
of applications.
The advantages of generator 11 over prior art
ozone generators are numerous. As discussed briefly above,
the primary reason preventing widespread use of ozone in
water treatment systems is the prohibitive capital and
operating costs of existing ozone generators. Conventional
high voltage ozone generators require dehumidification of
the air between the discharge plates to avoid shorting of
the system. Since the present invention does not utilize
high voltage, the air entering vessel 13 need only be
filtered by a simple dust filter or an equivalent to remove
particulate matter. No dehumidification of the air stream
is required. Accordingly, the power consumption required by
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the dehumidification system is totally eliminated, creatlng
~ considerable savings. In addition to the savings realized
¦l in reduced operating costs, the modular ozone generator is
, compact and represents a much smaller initial capital
I expenditure per pound of ozone generated than conventional
I high voltage generators. Since the ozone formed by
¦ generator 11 is a much more reactive form of ozone than
the high voltage ozone produced by conventional generators,
much less ozone need be added to water by generator 11
than would be required using a conventional generator for
the same treatment efficiency. In addition, the modular
form of generator 11 enables the production of large quantities
and high concentrations of ozone by simply combining
individual modules. Increased ozone production from
conventional generators is accomplished only by increasing
their already bulky and cumbersome size. As a result,
the capital cost of producing relatively large quantities
of ozone using generator 11 is a fraction of that required for
high voltage generators producing the same amount of less-
reactive ozone.
The generator 11 has been utilized in conjunction
with various existing water treatment systems designed to
remove different types of impurities, with significant
~ improvements being realized in the effectiveness and
¦ efficiency of each system.
I Referring now to Figure 3, the generator 11 is
¦ adapted for use inaflow-through system for the purification
¦ of swimming pool water. The use of ozone produced by the
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(11 ' ~ 1 62664
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generator 11 is a far more economical and efficierlt means
of cleaning pool water than the conventional chlorine
treatment now most widely used. Since ozone is a far more
powerful oxidizing agent than chlorine, the cost of using
I ozone is a fraction of that for chlorine. Chlorine is
only ideally effective in a limited pH range of approximately
7.2 to 7.6. Thus, constant monitoring of the pH level and
chemical treatment for pH control is required. Ozone,
however, is effective over the wide pH range of 6 to 10,
and has the capacity to maintain the pH level of the
pool water in a neutral condition from either an acidic
or alkaline state. Accordingly, pH control is normally
not required in swimming pools where ozone is used as the
treatment agent. Chlorine is effective in destroying
algae only at chlorination levels above 10 parts per million.
This extremely high level would be intolerable for swimming,
and would require closing the pool if utilized. Ozone kills
algae by bio-oxidation at its normal residual level, and
also facilitates filtration of algae from the water, thus
eliminating "green water" problems.
All swimming pools tend to accumulate a scum
line from body and hair oils. Chlorination will not reduce
or control the scum line, and routine scrubbing of the entire
pool perimeter is required. Body oils that accumulate in
water are oxidized by ozone and may be subse~uently removed
by a filter. A frequent complaint of swimmers using
chlorine-treated pools is that the pool water has a pungent
odor and causes eye irritation after relatively short periods
3 6266~ '
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¦ of use. There is r~rely any noticeable odor from the use
¦, of ozone and it does not irritate the eyes. Due to its
, extremely powerful oxidi2ing characteristics, the ozone
1i generated from the generator 11 reduces the surface
1l tension of pool water to an extent where it may be readily
noticeable to swimmers. Water containing sulfides,
iron, manganese and the like, is purified as these ions
are oxidized and filtered out of the water.
Referring now to Figure 3, the swimming pool
treatment system utilizing the generator 11 is depicted
in schematic form. Water is withdrawn from the pool
through a conventional filter pump 61. The filtered water
flows through conduit 63 into a treatment tank 65. Ozone
produced by generator 11 is introduced into treatment tank
65 through ozone line 59. The untreated water in tank 65
is exposed to the ozone through a microporous or foraminous
diffuser 31 which bubbles the ozone throughout the tank 65.
Any waste or excess gases produced during the treatment
process within tank 65 are released through a vent 69 at
the top of tank 65. The treated water is then withdrawn
from tank 65 through an inlet conduit 67 which connects to
existing pool inlets.
The ozone generator 11 also has application in
a system for the purification of well water for drinking
purposes. Much of the existing ground water used from a
well contains sulfides, iron, manganese, bacteria, viruses
and the like. Water containing these contaminants often has
a pungent odor and an offensive metallic taste. Existing
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¦¦ methOds of ~reatment of ~his so-called "foul water" are
¦l expensive and relatively inefficient.
¦ Referring now to Figure 6, a drinking water
~ treatment system is depicted using the ozone produced by
! the generator 11. Ground water is removed by an existing
pump 71 and flows to a treatment tank 73 through inlet
conduit 75. The ozone produced by generator 11 is introduced
into the treatment tank 73, under pressure, through ozone
line 77. A microporous or foraminous diffuser 31,
disposed near the bottom of treatment tank 73, is connected
to ozone line 77 and bubbles the ozone throughout the
untreated water. The ozone from generator 11 reacts with
compounds of sulfur, iron and manganese contained in the
untreated water to form ions, which are generally oxidized
to form the oxide or lowest stable salt. Any waste gases
produced by the treatment process are released through vent
78 at the top of treatment tank 73. The treated water is
removed from tank 73 through an outlet conduit 79.
The metal oxides or salts formed in tank 73 by
reaction with the ozone are removed from the treated
water by a multi-layer filter 81 which is in communication
with outlet conduit 79 thus producing drinking water
which is free of the smell and taste of normal well water.
The filter 81 is preferably in the form of a disposable
cartridge which may be easily removed from the system and
quickly replaced. A 5 micron m~llti-layered filter hasbeen
found to ~e suitable for removing the bulk of the oxides and
salts produced during treatment.
1 1 6 2 6 6 ~
i'
l Figures 4 and 5 depict alter~ative embodiments
for the treatment of water containing such impurities as
phenols, cyanides, and heavy metals. The system of Figure
li 4 is a continuous flow treatment system having several
5 ¦I tanks in commlmication with one another. Water is
,l constantly circulated through the tanks, and in each tank a
separate step of the treatment process is accomplished.
The treatment system of Figure 5 is a batch system which
! removes unwanted impurities from a given quantity of
water, which is then drained from the system before more
water to be treated is introduced.
- Referring now to Figure 4, the continuous flow
treatment system is shown. Water effluent is introduced
¦~ into ente~ flow control tank 97 by an existing pump
(not shown). A constant flow pump 99 pumps the water from
tank 97 through conduit 96 into a reaction tank
101 at a rate equivalent to the input flow. A dispenser
98 injects material having a high alkaline content through
conduit 100 into the water within reactLon tank 101 at a
rate corresponding to the input flow of water, to raise the
pH within the tank 101 to between 10 and 12. This highly
alkaline water from the reaction tank 101 is then directed into
a treatment tank 103 through conduit 104. Ozone produced by
generator 11 is introduced into the treatment tank 103 through
ozone line 105 and is dispersed throughout the water by a
¦ microporous or foraminous diffuser 31. Baffle plates 106
¦ and 108 are connected at the top and bottom of tank 103 to
¦ provide a surface for metal ions and oxides produced by the
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¦' ozone durin~ the treatment process to attach or settle out
¦, of the water. The treated water is discharged from tank
103 through a conduit 107, and flows to a settling tank
1, or a filtration system (not shown) for the removal of any
I, remaining impurities which did not settle out in tank 103
¦ and for the addition of acidic material to lower the p~
of the water to a range of from 6 to 8.
Referring now to Figure 5, the alternative
! batch treatment system for water containing phenols,
! cyanides and heavy metals is shown. An existing pump
(not shown) introduces water effluent into treatment tank
83 through an inlet conduit 84. A dispenser 82, containing
material having a high alkaline content is connected to tank
83 by conduit 85. This alkaline material is injected into
treatment tank 83 by opening valve 94 in conduit 85, to
¦ increase the pH of the water to a range of between 10 and 11.
¦ A second conduit 87 is connected at one end
¦ near the top of tank 83 and at the other end near its
I base. A pump 91 disposed along circulation conduit 87
¦ continually circulates the water through tank 83 from bottom
to top. A venturi lnductor 89 connected to ozone generator
11 by ozone line 88, is placed in communication with
circulation conduit 87 and the water circulating therethrough.
A vacuum means (not shown) applies a vacuum at the venturi
inductor 89 to draw the ozone produced by generator 11,
! into the flow of the water as it passes through the venturi
jl inductor 89 to disperse the ozone into the water as completely
as possible. The ozone- saturated water then proceeds into
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the reaction tank 83 for treatment.
The water is circulated through circulation
conduit ~7, and exposed to additional quantities of ozone
l~ until the impurities contained in the water are broken
~I down to harmless forms capable of being filtered or
l, settled out of the solution. At that time, the now
I treated water is removed from the system ~y opening outlet
¦ valve 93 in drain line 95 which is connected to the circu-
I lation conduit 87. The treated water may then be directed
I to a settling tank or a filter means (not shown) where the
pH is lowered to a range of from 6 to 8 by the addition of
acidic material, and the remaining impu~ities are settled
or filtered out of the water. When tank 83 is completely
drained, valve 93 is closed and a new batch of water to be
treated is introduced into tank 83 to repeat the treatment
process.
Accordingly, several systems have been described
hereinabove in which ozone produced by generator 11 may be
used to treat a variety of impurities found in water. The
unique properties of the ozone make batch systems and con-
tinuous treatment systems efficient and economically
feasible. The various treatment systems depicted herein
are exemplary of the wide range of applications in which
ozone produced by generator 11 may be used.
Upon a consideration of the foregoing, it will
become obvious to those skilled in the art that various
modifications may be made without departing from the invention
embodied hereLn Therefore, only such limitations should
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(; i ( I
1162664
! be imposed as are indicated by the spirit and scope of the
appended claims.
23.
