Method and system for removal of contaminants from aqueous solution

• US 20070289910A1
• Filed: 02/05/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eric Dunlop, Megharaj Mallavarapu, Ravendra Naidu
• Original Assignee: Eric Dunlop, Megharaj Mallavarapu, Ravendra Naidu
• Inventors: Mallavarapu, Megharaj, Naidu, Ravendra, Dunlop, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,479,226 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/194
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/24 by flotation C02F1/465 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/30 by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/68 by addition of specified substances, e.g. trace elements, for ameliorating potable water medicinal water A61K
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/006 Radioactive compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/20 Heavy metals or heavy metal compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/22 Chromium or chromium compounds, e.g. chromates
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/007 Contaminated open waterways, rivers, lakes or ponds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/10 from quarries or from mining activities
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/043 Treatment of partial or bypass streams
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/06 Nutrients for stimulating the growth of microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/302 Nitrification and denitrification treatment C02F3/308 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 3/322 use of algae
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

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.

Claims

1-32. -32. (canceled)

33. A system for removal of a contaminant from an aqueous solution utilizing photosynthetic algae that interacts with said contaminant to remove it from the aqueous solution, said system comprising:

a fluid pathway formed by at least two side walls and a floor, said fluid pathway having an inlet and an outlet coupled thereto, said fluid pathway configured for containing a reaction mixture having a quantity of said aqueous solution that includes said contaminant and a quantity of said photosynthetic algae that interacts with at least a portion of said contaminant while the reaction mixture is contained within said fluid pathway so as to remove at least a portion of said contaminant from the aqueous solution so as to produce a remediated aqueous solution, said fluid pathway being open on its top side for exposure of said reaction mixture within said fluid pathway to light and air, said inlet configured for introducing said reaction mixture into said fluid pathway and said outlet spaced apart from the inlet in said fluid pathway, for withdrawing a portion of said reaction mixture from said fluid pathway;

a mixer positioned within said fluid pathway, said mixer configured for turning said reaction mixture within said fluid pathway so as to expose at least a portion of said photosynthetic algae in the reaction mixture to light and air;

a source of carbon dioxide;

a carbon dioxide infuser connected to said source of carbon dioxide gas and said fluid pathway, said carbon dioxide infuser configured for introducing carbon dioxide gas into said reaction mixture; and

a filter coupled to said outlet, said filter configured for separating photosynthetic algae from said reaction mixture.

34. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

a first conduit coupled to said filter, said first conduit configured for fluidly conducting said remediated aqueous solution from said filter; and

a second conduit coupled to said filter, said second conduit configured for carrying said photosynthetic algae from said filter.