Systems and Methods for Removing Volatile Compounds from Water-Storage Tanks

• US 20180186660A1
• Filed: 12/29/2017
• Published: 07/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: UGSI Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: PAX Water Technologies, Inc.INC.
• Granted Patent: US 10,640,394 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 19/0005 with one or more auxiliary substances
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 19/0042 modifying the liquid flow B01D19/0021 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/20 by degassing, i.e. liberation of dissolved gases degasification of liquids in general B01D19/00; arrangement of degassing apparatus in boiler feed supply F22D
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/101 Sulfur compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/12 Halogens or halogen-containing compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/322 Volatile compounds, e.g. benzene
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/36 containing halogen
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/06 Contaminated groundwater or leachate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/24 Separation of coarse particles, e.g. by using sieves or screens
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 11/08 Air regulators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/00 Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

A system for reducing an amount of volatile organic compounds which includes: a water-storage tank having a tank containing water, a roof positioned over the tank, and a headspace region formed between the roof and a surface of the water contained in the tank; an air exchange system positioned at least partially in the headspace region that is configured to exchange air exterior to the tank with air inside the tank; and a water conveyance device located at least partially in the water of the water-storage tank and which is configured to convey water in a manner that produces a surface flow velocity. A method reducing an amount of volatile organic compounds is also included.

Claims

1. A system for reducing an amount of volatile organic compounds comprising:

a water-storage tank comprising a tank containing water, a roof positioned over the tank, and a headspace region formed between the roof and a surface of the water contained in the tank;

an air exchange system positioned at least partially in the headspace region that is configured to exchange air exterior to the tank with air inside the tank; and

a water conveyance device located at least partially in the water of the water-storage tank and which is configured to convey water in a manner that produces a surface flow velocity.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the water conveyance device is configured to convey water to the water surface.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the tank has a floor and the water conveyance device is configured to exchange water at or toward the floor of the tank with water at or toward the water surface.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the water conveyance device circulates water around the tank.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the water conveyance device is completely submerged in the water when the tank is in use.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the water conveyance device is attached to or sits upon the floor of the tank.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the air exchange system comprises:

(i) a port that enables air to flow out of the water-storage tank; and

(ii) an active air ventilation device configured to facilitate movement of air exterior of the water-storage tank into the headspace region.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the active air ventilation device is configured to facilitate the movement of air exterior of the water-storage tank into the headspace region in a direction that is non-perpendicular to the water surface.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the active air ventilation device is configured to facilitate the movement of air exterior of the water-storage tank into the headspace region substantially across the water surface.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the active air ventilation device comprises air vents that fluidly connect the air exterior of the water-storage tank to the headspace region.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the active air ventilation device comprises at least one screen that is positioned over at least one of the air vents.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the active air ventilation device comprises an air moving device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the air moving device is a fan.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the water conveyance device comprises a mixer having blades.

15. A method of removing volatile materials from water stored in a water-storage tank, comprising:

conveying at least a portion of water stored in the water-storage tank from a location below a surface of the water up to the surface of the water with a water conveyance device;

directing air from exterior of the water-storage tank non-perpendicularly to the surface of the water stored in the water-storage tank with an active air ventilation device; and

exchanging the exterior air with air in an interior of the water-storage tank through a port located above the surface of the water, thereby removing at least a portion of volatile organic compounds present in the stored water of the water-storage tank.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the water conveyance device maintains a chemical gradient between the exterior air and the water such that volatile compounds are transferred from the water to the interior air.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the exchanging of the air comprises operating an air moving device of the active air ventilation device engaged with the water-storage tank to move the exterior air into the water-storage tank in a direction substantially across the surface of the water.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the method does not incorporate an aeration step.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the stored water contains an amount of volatile chemicals and the method automatically initiates when the amount of volatile chemicals in the stored water exceeds a pre-determined amount.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the method automatically stops when the amount of volatile chemicals in the stored water drops below the pre-determined amount.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the water stored in the tank comprises an initial amount of volatile chemicals and the pre-determined amount is about 5% of the initial amount.