Method and system for water bioremediation utilizing a conical attached algal culture system
First Claim
1. A generally conical floway for cleansing water from a waterway of a pollutant, the floway having an inner central region, an outer circumferential edge, a radius, and a downward slope between the central region and the outer edge, the floway comprising:
- means for admitting the water to be cleansed positioned at the central region;
means for retaining water within the floway positioned around the outer edge, the retaining means comprising means for discharging cleansed water from the floway, the discharging means movable between an open position and a closed position; and
a water-impervious bottom surface extending from the central region to the outer edge, the bottom surface having a texture conducive for growing a bed of algae to form an algal turf thereon;
wherein, in use, water is admitted into the floway from the waterway by the admitting means, is permitted to flow over the algal turf growing on the bottom surface, the algal turf serving as means for removing the pollutant from the water to be cleansed and thereby cleansing the water, and is discharged from the discharging means after a predetermined time in a cleansed condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A conical floway culture system for cleansing water of pollutants is presented that has a downward slope between the central region and the outer edge and a wall for retaining water within the floway. The water-impervious bottom surface has a texture conducive for growing an algal turf. In use, water is admitted into the floway from the waterway and is permitted to flow over the algal turf. The algal turf bioassimilates the pollutants and thereby cleanses the water, and the water is discharged in a cleansed condition. Mature algal turf is harvested periodically by an angled plowing system having a notched, fixed, or rotating scraper that travels in a downward spiral path, pushing harvested algal turf downslope toward the outer edge.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A generally conical floway for cleansing water from a waterway of a pollutant, the floway having an inner central region, an outer circumferential edge, a radius, and a downward slope between the central region and the outer edge, the floway comprising:
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means for admitting the water to be cleansed positioned at the central region; means for retaining water within the floway positioned around the outer edge, the retaining means comprising means for discharging cleansed water from the floway, the discharging means movable between an open position and a closed position; and a water-impervious bottom surface extending from the central region to the outer edge, the bottom surface having a texture conducive for growing a bed of algae to form an algal turf thereon; wherein, in use, water is admitted into the floway from the waterway by the admitting means, is permitted to flow over the algal turf growing on the bottom surface, the algal turf serving as means for removing the pollutant from the water to be cleansed and thereby cleansing the water, and is discharged from the discharging means after a predetermined time in a cleansed condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A system for cleansing water from a waterway of a pollutant, the system comprising:
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a first and a second floway, each floway having an inner central region, an outer circumferential edge, a radius, and a downward slope between the central region and the outer edge, each floway comprising; means for admitting the water to be cleansed positioned at the central region; means for retaining water within the floway positioned around the outer edge, the retaining means comprising means for discharging cleansed water from the floway, the discharging means movable between an open position and a closed position; and a water-impervious bottom surface extending from the central region to the outer edge, the bottom surface having a texture conducive for growing a bed of algae to form an algal turf thereon; and means for transporting water in series from the discharging means of the first floway to the admitting means of the second floway; wherein, in use, water is admitted into the first floway from the waterway by the admitting means, is permitted to flow over the algal turf growing on the first floway bottom surface, the algal turf serving as means for bioassimilating the pollutant from the water to be cleansed and thereby cleansing the water, is discharged from the first floway discharging means after a predetermined time in a cleaner condition, is transported to the second floway admitting means, is permitted to flow over the algal turf growing on the second floway bottom surface, the algal turf serving as means for bioassimilating the pollutant from the water to be cleansed and thereby cleansing the water, and is discharged from the second floway discharging means after a predetermined time in a cleansed condition.
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17. A method for cleansing water from a waterway of a pollutant using a conical floway, the floway having an inner central region, an outer circumferential edge, a radius, a downward slope between the central region and the outer edge, and a bottom surface conducive for growing an algal turf thereon, the method comprising the steps of:
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growing an algal turf on the bottom surface, the algal turf comprising an algal species capable of bioassimilating the pollutant; flowing the water to be cleansed over the algal turf; permitting the algal turf to bioassimilate the pollutant; and discharging water from the outer edge of the floway after a predetermined time. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification