Method and system for photocatalytic decontamination
First Claim
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1. A method for purifying a contaminated fluid, comprising:
- mixing a contaminated fluid with a photocatalyst to form a slurry;
passing the slurry through a space irradiated by ultraviolet light to bring about a photocatalytic reaction of the slurry whereby decontaminated effluents are rendered in the slurry;
segregating the decontaminated effluents from the slurry by filtration through a plurality of ceramic filter elements;
intermittently removing any collections of photocatalyst in the plural ceramic filter elements by passing a shock wave therethrough; and
repeating the above steps with a substantially constant charge of photocatalyst.
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Abstract
A method and system for purifying a contaminated fluid in a continuous manner is herein disclosed. The present invention provides for the irradiation of a slurry between a defined surface(s) such that substantially all of the contaminants are removed from the slurry, and a turbulent flow of the slurry is achieved. The present invention further provides for the separation of decontaminated effluent from the slurry by employing ceramic membrane filters. Air is applied to the ceramic membrane filters at relatively high pressures in order to remove any photoreactive catalyst particles that have collected in the ceramic membranes.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for purifying a contaminated fluid, comprising:
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mixing a contaminated fluid with a photocatalyst to form a slurry; passing the slurry through a space irradiated by ultraviolet light to bring about a photocatalytic reaction of the slurry whereby decontaminated effluents are rendered in the slurry; segregating the decontaminated effluents from the slurry by filtration through a plurality of ceramic filter elements; intermittently removing any collections of photocatalyst in the plural ceramic filter elements by passing a shock wave therethrough; and repeating the above steps with a substantially constant charge of photocatalyst. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for the purification of fluid containing contaminant compounds, comprising:
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mixing the fluid with anatase TiO2 to form a slurry; exposing the slurry to ultraviolet light through an irradiated annulus to effect an oxidation of the contaminant compounds, the oxidation providing a decontaminated effluent in the slurry; passing the slurry through one or more ceramic membrane filters; recovering the decontaminated effluent once it is segregated from the slurry; and removing collections of anatase TiO2 from the plural ceramic membrane filters by applying a shock wave through the ceramic membrane filter(s). - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for purifying a contaminated fluid, comprising:
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mixing a contaminated fluid with anatase TiO2 particles to form a slurry; passing the slurry through an annulus that is exposed to an ultraviolet light source; irradiating the slurry with the light source to effect a photocatalytic reaction; supplying the irradiated slurry to one or more ceramic membrane filters to provide a retentate; intermittently removing collections of TiO2 particles from the ceramic membrane filter(s); and intermittently removing metals deposited on some of the TiO2 particles present in the slurry. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for purifying a contaminated fluid, comprising:
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mixing the contaminated fluid with TiO2 particles to form a slurry; treating the slurry through photocatalysis by irradiating the slurry with ultraviolet light as it passes through an irradiated annulus so as to render a decontaminated effluent in the slurry; separating the decontaminated fluid from the slurry by passing the slurry through one or more ceramic membrane filters; periodically removing collections of TiO2 particles from the plural ceramic membrane filter(s); and concurrently repeating the steps of treating of the slurry and separating the decontaminated effluent from the slurry to different portions of the slurry. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification