Systems and Methods of Urea Processing to Reduce Sorbent Load
First Claim
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1. A method of removing ammonia from a stream of used dialysate solution in a dialysis system, the method comprising:
- passing the stream of used dialysate solution having a pH through a first reactor;
raising the pH of the stream of used dialysate solution in said first reactor to a level sufficient to substantially convert ammonium ions in said stream to gaseous ammonia;
releasing the gaseous ammonia from said stream by allowing it to diffuse through a semi-permeable hydrophobic membrane at the outlet of said first reactor;
receiving the gaseous ammonia through a gas channel into a second reactor; and
capturing and removing the gaseous ammonia in said second reactor.
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Abstract
The present invention provides novel methods for removal and disposal of ammonia from spent dialysate in a dialysis system. Ammonium ions present in spent dialysate are converted into gaseous ammonia by raising the pH of the spent dialysate solution in a first reactor. Gaseous ammonia diffuses through a semi-permeable hydrophobic membrane at the outlet of the first reactor and into a second reactor via a gas channel. The second reactor converts gaseous ammonia into an ammonium compound for easy disposal.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of removing ammonia from a stream of used dialysate solution in a dialysis system, the method comprising:
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passing the stream of used dialysate solution having a pH through a first reactor; raising the pH of the stream of used dialysate solution in said first reactor to a level sufficient to substantially convert ammonium ions in said stream to gaseous ammonia; releasing the gaseous ammonia from said stream by allowing it to diffuse through a semi-permeable hydrophobic membrane at the outlet of said first reactor; receiving the gaseous ammonia through a gas channel into a second reactor; and capturing and removing the gaseous ammonia in said second reactor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for removing ammonia from a stream of used dialysate solution during dialysis, the system comprising:
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a first reactor through which the stream of used dialysate solution is passed and its pH raised such that ammonium ions in said stream are substantially converted to gaseous ammonia, wherein said gaseous ammonia is released from said stream by diffusion through a semi-permeable hydrophobic membrane at the outlet of said first reactor; and a second reactor for receiving the gaseous ammonia from the first reactor via a gas channel, wherein said second reactor captures and removes the gaseous ammonia. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification