Dual-action decontamination system

• US 6,712,976 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2001
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AbTech Industries, Inc. (Tau Holdings Ltd. (Canada))
• Original Assignee: AbTech Industries, Inc. (Tau Holdings Ltd. (Canada))
• Inventors: Manzone, Rodolfo B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barry, Chester T.
• Application Number:
  US09/952,258
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047514A1
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 210/660, 210/690, 210/691, 210/692, 210/693, 210/694, 210/263, 210/282, 210/764, 210/668, 502/1, 502/402
• US Class Current: 210/668
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 39/04 Organic material, e.g. cellulose, cotton
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/26 Synthetic macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/261 obtained by reactions only involving carbon to carbon unsaturated bonds macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds per se C08F
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/264 derived from different types of monomers, e.g. linear or branched copolymers, block copolymers, graft copolymers
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/28004 Sorbent size or size distribution, e.g. particle size
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/2803 Sorbents comprising a binder, e.g. for forming aggregated, agglomerated or granulated products
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3007 Moulding, shaping or extruding
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3028 Granulating, agglomerating or aggregating
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3042 Use of binding agents; addition of materials ameliorating the mechanical properties of the produced sorbent
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/321 consisting of a polymer obtained by reactions involving only carbon to carbon unsaturated bonds
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3217 Resulting in a chemical bond between the coating or impregnating layer and the carrier, support or substrate, e.g. a covalent bond
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 20/3246 having a well defined chemical structure
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/285 using synthetic organic sorbents
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/288 using composite sorbents, e.g. coated, impregnated, multi-layered
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/001 Runoff or storm water
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 1/00 Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 5/0404 with a permanent or temporary filtering device; Filtering devices specially adapted therefor

Abstract

Hydrophobic polymer particles (e.g., granules or fragments) employed as filter media, e.g., for filtering runoff water, include an antimicrobial compound on exterior surfaces and can reduce proliferation of microbial organisms as well as sorb chemical contaminants from the water. By employing this dual decontamination action, filter systems employing such particles can improve the quality of runoff water (or other contaminated water streams) and reduce the risk presented by potentially harmful organisms.

Claims

1. A fragment of filter media comprising:

(a) an oil-sorbent, hydrophobic copolymer in a matrix of compliant, hydrophobic, olefinic polymer; and

(b) an antimicrobial compound grafted to the copolymer and polymer;

wherein the fragment is in contact with runoff water;

whereby the fragment is capable of both sorbing oil from the runoff water and reducing proliferation of microbial organisms.

2. The fragment of claim 1 wherein:

(a) the antimicrobial compound is an organosilane compound not susceptible to self-condensation in water;

(b) the compliant, hydrophobic polymer is ethylene propylene monomer or ethylene propylene diene monomer; and

(c) the oil-sorbent, hydrophobic copolymer is styrene-butadiene-styrene or hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer.

3. A filter system comprising:

(a) a multitude of irregular, macroscopic fragments comprised of an oil-sorbent, hydrophobic copolymer in a matrix of compliant, hydrophobic polymer;

(b) an antimicrobial compound grafted to the fragments; and

(c) a filter module supporting the fragments adjacent to an aperture and in contact with runoff water passing into contact with the fragments via the aperture;

whereby the filter system is capable of both sorbing oil from the runoff water and reducing proliferation of microbial organisms.

4. The filter system of claim 3 wherein the antimicrobial compound is an organosilane compound not susceptible to self-condensation in water.

5. The filter system of claim 3 wherein:

(a) the compliant, hydrophobic polymer is ethylene propylene monomer or ethylene propylene diene monomer; and

(b) the oil-sorbent, hydrophobic copolymer is styrene-butadiene-styrene or hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer.

6. A method for improving chemical and biological purity of a runoff water stream containing contaminants, the method comprising directing flow of the water stream through interstices of a multitude of irregular, macroscopic fragments that:

(a) are comprised of hydrophobic copolymer in a matrix of compliant, hydrophobic polymer and are sorbent of the contaminants; and

(b) have antimicrobial compound on their surfaces;

whereby one or more targeted contaminants are sorbed from the water and proliferation of microbial organisms is reduced.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein, prior to directing flow of the water stream, the water stream contains hydrocarbons and wherein the fragments are sorbent of hydrocarbons.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein directing flow comprises directing flow of the water through fragments further comprised of an antimicrobial compound grafted to:

(a) a portion of the polymer of the matrix; and

(b) a portion of the oil-sorbent, hydrophobic copolymer in the matrix.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein directing flow comprises directing flow of the water through fragments wherein the antimicrobial compound grafted thereto comprises an organosilane compound not susceptible to self-condensation in water.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein directing flow comprises directing flow of the water through fragments wherein:

(a) the compliant, hydrophobic polymer consists of ethylene propylene monomer or ethylene propylene diene monomer; and

(c) the oil-sorbent, hydrophobic copolymer consists of styrene-butadiene-styrene or hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer.

11. The method of claim 6 further comprising supporting the fragments about an open recess within a filter module, whereby the filter module is capable of both removing oil from water passing into the open recess and reducing proliferation of microbial organisms.