Water decontamination method using peroxide photolysis ionizer

• US 5,439,595 A
• Filed: 08/25/1993
• Issued: 08/08/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wayne F. Downey Jr
• Original Assignee: Wayne F. Downey Jr
• Inventors: Downey, Wayne F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bascomb, Jr., Wilbur
• Application Number:
  US08/111,988
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 210/748, 210/758, 210/759, 210/760, 422/21, 422/24
• US Class Current: 210/748.07
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/12 Microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/123 Ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/302 with microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/722 Oxidation by peroxides
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3228 Units having reflectors, e.g. coatings, baffles, plates, mirrors

Abstract

Apparatus and a method are disclosed for decontaminating water, using an ionizing reactor. Water contaminated by organic compounds is introduced into a chamber in which it is concurrently irradiated by microwave and an ultraviolet source to activate it by photolysis. The water is then introduced to a hydroxyl reactor chamber. An oxidizing reagent, such as hydrogen peroxide, is irradiated by subjecting it to the UV source and conducting it through the chamber, without mixing it with the water. The activated water and irradiated oxidizing reagent are then vectored to a locus at which they are mixed under UV from the source. The apparatus and method may be incorporated into a water treatment system employing existing contaminant extraction techniques, such as immiscible fluids separation and turbo-aspirated sparging.

Claims

1. A method for the removal of contaminants from water, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a first and a second reaction chamber and a source of ultraviolet radiation operatively associated therewith;

b. introducing into the first reaction chamber a stream of water;

c. providing a stream of oxidizing reagent out of fluid contact with the stream of water;

d. simultaneously subjecting the water and the oxidizing reagent to the ultraviolet radiation to irradiate them and hydrolyze the reagent;

e. introducing the irradiated water and hydrolyzed reagent to the second reaction chamber; and

f. mixing the water and the reagent in the second chamber while subjecting the water and the reagent to ultraviolet radiation from the source.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, and the further step of:

g. subjecting the water in the first reaction chamber to microwave radiation while conducting said step of subjecting the water and the oxidizing reagent to the ultraviolet radiation.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said step b. is so conducted as to direct the stream of water into helical flow within the first reaction chamber.

4. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said step e. comprises the further step of:

h. directing the water and the reagent to a focal zone.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step d. and said step f. comprise the further steps of:

i. providing in the first chamber a plurality of light-conducting tubular members;

j. so conducting said step c. that said stream of oxidizing reagent is made to flow through the tubular members; and

k. conducting ultraviolet radiation from said source to respective ends of said tubular members, whereby scattering of ultraviolet radiation from said tubular members irradiates the water and the reagent in accordance with said step d., and radiation conducted by the tubular members and the reagent subjects the water and reagent in the second chamber to ultraviolet radiation from the source in accordance with said step f.

6. A method for the removal of contaminants from water, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a first and a second reaction chamber and a source of ultraviolet radiation operatively associated therewith;

b. introducing into the first reaction chamber a stream of water;

c. providing a stream of oxidizing reagent and passing the stream of oxidizing reagent through the first reaction chamber out of fluid contact with the stream of water;

d. simultaneously subjecting the water and the oxidizing reagent to the ultraviolet radiation to irradiate them and hydrolyze the reagent;

e. introducing the irradiated water and hydrolyzed reagent to the second reaction chamber; and

f. mixing the water and the reagent in the second chamber while subjecting the water and the reagent to ultraviolet radiation from the source.