Compositions, methods, and systems for reducing contamination

• US 7,745,680 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Streamline Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Henry Wilmore Jr. Cox
• Inventors: Cox, Henry Wilmore Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson; Edward M
• Application Number:
  US11/471,232
• Time in Patent Office: 1,470 Days
• Field of Search: 588/405, 588/319, 588/320, 423/245.1, 423/245.2, 252/182.11, 252/184, 252/182.12, 252/182.3, 252/183.13, 252/183.11, 502/400, 502/401, 502/406
• US Class Current: 588/405
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 2101/47 containing oxygen, sulfur, selenium or tellurium, i.e. chalcogen
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 3/38 by oxidation; by combustion
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/66 by neutralisation; pH adjustment for degassing C02F1/20; using ion-exchange C02F1/42; for flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities C02F1/52; for removing dissolved compounds C02F1/58
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/683 by addition of complex-forming compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/722 Oxidation by peroxides
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/725 by catalytic oxidation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/101 Sulfur compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/02 Odour removal or prevention of malodour
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/026 Fenton's reagent
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/08 Treatment of wastewater in the sewer, e.g. to reduce grease, odour
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

Exemplary compositions, methods, and systems are disclosed that can be useful for reducing a concentration of a contaminant associated with a medium, which can be any substance or material, such as soil, water, air, and/or fluid. In one exemplary method, the medium is treated with Fe-MDGA and an oxidizing agent in amounts effective to oxidize at least a portion of the contaminant. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. This abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Claims

1. A method for reducing a concentration of a contaminant associated with a medium, comprising treating the medium with Fe-MGDA and an oxidizing agent in amounts effective to oxidize at least a portion of the contaminant, wherein the contaminant is hydrogen sulfide or an organic compound having at least one aromatic functional group, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the medium is selected from soil, water, air, and fluid.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the medium is selected from air, exhaust, and vent gas.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the medium is air within a space defined at least in part by a structure selected from:

tunnel, mine, well, ditch, canyon, cavern, cave, hole, corner, niche, bunker, building, compartment, room, clean room, enclosure, container, tank, pipe, equipment, ship, airplane, vehicle, automobile, and train.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the medium is a fluid within a space defined at least in part by a structure selected from:

tunnel, mine, well, ditch, canyon, cavern, cave, hole, corner, niche, bunker, building, compartment, room, clean room, enclosure, container, tank, pipe, equipment, ship, airplane, vehicle, automobile, and train.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the medium is selected from:

liquid, water, groundwater, leachate, wastewater, sewer water, blackwater, graywater, bilge water, ballast water, feed water, process water, industrial water, irrigation water, recreational water, pond water, lake water, creek water, river water, rain water, runoff water, pool water, cooling water, non-potable water, potable water, drinking water, semi-pure water, spent ultra-pure water.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the medium is selected from:

a solid, solids, rubbish, trash, refuse, waste, medical waste, radioactive waste, sweepings, scourings, rubble, debris, detritus, scum, grease, sludge, sewage, jetsam, and/or flotsam.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the medium is selected from:

soil, clay, dust, sand, gravel, stones, rock, sediment, and activated charcoal.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant is selected from:

a chemical compound, a chemical mixture, an organic compound, an inorganic compound, and hydrogen sulfide.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant is selected from:

an organic compound, an organic compound having at least one aromatic functional group, an organic compound having at least one aliphatic functional group, an inorganic compound, and hydrogen sulfide.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant is an organic compound having at least one aromatic functional group.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant is an organic compound having at least one aliphatic functional group.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant is selected from:

lifeform, biological, pest, plant, invertebrate, mollusk, nematode, insect, parasite, mold, fungi, protozoa, amoeba, bacteria, virus, prion, protein, and amino acid.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the contaminant is hydrogen sulfide.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is a peroxide.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is calcium peroxide.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is magnesium peroxide.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is a persulphate.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is sodium persulphate.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is potassium persulphate.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is ammonium persulphate.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is ozone.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein said treating occurs in situ.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein said treating occurs ex situ.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein said treating occurs at a pH in the range of approximately 5 to approximately 8.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein said treating occurs at approximately a pH of the medium.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein a substantial portion of the contaminant is oxidized.

29. The method of claim 1, further comprising sampling the medium for the contaminant.

30. The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing the contaminant.

31. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying the contaminant associated with the medium.

32. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring a pre-oxidation concentration of the contaminant associated with the medium.

33. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an amount of medium to treat.

34. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining at least one treatment location for the medium.

35. The method of claim 1, further comprising preparing the Fe-MGDA.

36. The method of claim 1, further comprising mixing the Fe-MGDA and the oxidizing agent.

37. The method of claim 1, further comprising conveying a mixture of the Fe-MGDA and the oxidizing agent.

38. The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting the medium with Fe-MGDA and a oxidizing agent.

39. The method of claim 1, further comprising reacting the contaminant with the Fe-MGDA and the oxidizing agent.

40. The method of claim 1, further comprising, to improve oxidation, adjusting an amount of at least one item selected from:

the Fe-MGDA, the oxidizing agent, the medium, and the contaminant.

41. The method of claim 1, further comprising, to improve oxidation, adjusting a flowrate of at least one item selected from:

the Fe-MGDA, the oxidizing agent, the medium, and the contaminant.

42. The method of claim 1, further comprising, to improve oxidation, controlling an amount of at least one item selected from:

the Fe-MGDA, the oxidizing agent, the medium, and the contaminant.

43. The method of claim 1, further comprising, to improve oxidation, controlling a flowrate of at least one item selected from:

the Fe-MGDA, the oxidizing agent, the medium, and the contaminant.

44. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling a temperature of at least one item selected from:

the medium, the contaminant, the Fe-MGDA, and the oxidizing agent.

45. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling a pressure of at least one item selected from:

the medium, the contaminant, the Fe-MGDA, and the oxidizing agent.

46. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling a concentration of at least one item selected from:

the medium, the contaminant, the Fe-MGDA, and the oxidizing agent.

47. The method of claim 1, further comprising oxidizing the contaminant with the Fe-MGDA and the oxidizing agent.

48. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 2.

49. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 5.

50. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 10.

51. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 20.

52. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 50.

53. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 100.

54. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 200.

55. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 500.

56. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 1000.

57. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 2000.

58. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 5000.

59. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 10000.

60. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 20000.

61. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 50000.

62. The method of claim 1, further comprising analyzing a post-oxidation concentration of the contaminant associated with the medium.

63. The method of claim 1, further comprising measuring a post-oxidation concentration of the contaminant associated with the medium.

64. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a reduction in the concentration of the contaminant associated with the medium.

65. The method of claim 1, further comprising conveying the medium after treatment.

66. The method of claim 1, further comprising discharging the medium after treatment.

67. The method of claim 1, further comprising dispersing a mixture of Fe-MGDA and a peroxide compound in a form selected from:

liquid, foam, solid, gaseous, and aerosol.

68. The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing heat generated from said treating to produce work.

69. The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing heat generated from said treating to produce a temperature change in an environment.

70. The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing heat generated from said treating to produce a temperature change in a fluid.

71. The method of claim 1, further comprising decontaminating the medium.

72. The method of claim 1, further comprising sanitizing the medium.

73. The method of claim 1, further comprising killing a biological selected from a:

mold, fungi, protozoa, amoeba, bacteria, virus, and prion.

74. The method of claim 1, further comprising rendering ineffective an amino acid or protein.

75. The method of claim 1, further comprising denaturing a protein.

76. The method of claim 1, further comprising producing an explosion.

77. The method of claim 1, further comprising producing a controlled explosion.

78. The method of claim 1, further comprising decomposing waste material containing at least one aliphatic or aromatic functional group.

79. The method of claim 1, further comprising decontaminating a clean room environment.

80. The method of claim 1, further comprising treating the medium to reduce a concentration of iron associated with the medium.

81. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating said treating of the medium to improve oxidation.

82. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding an organic compound to the medium to improve said method.

83. A method for reducing a concentration in a volume of soil of a soil-contaminating organic compound, comprising contacting the volume of soil with Fe-MGDA and an oxidizing agent in amounts effective to treat the soil-contaminating organic compound, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1.

84. A method for reducing a concentration in a volume of water of a water-contaminating organic compound, comprising contacting the volume of water with Fe-MGDA and an oxidizing agent in amounts effective to treat the water-contaminating organic compound, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1.

85. A method for reducing a concentration in a volume of air of an air-contaminating organic compound, comprising contacting the volume of air with Fe-MGDA and an oxidizing agent in amounts effective to treat the air-contaminating organic compound, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1.

86. A method for decontaminating a medium containing a medium-contaminating compound, comprising contacting the medium with Fe-MGDA and an oxidizing agent in amounts effective to treat the medium-contaminating organic compound, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1.

87. A method for decontaminating a medium containing a medium-contaminating compound, comprising contacting the medium with Fe-MGDA and an oxidizing agent in amounts effective to oxidize the medium-contaminating organic compound, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1.

88. A method for decontaminating a medium containing a medium-contaminating compound having at least one oxidizable aliphatic or aromatic functional group, comprising contacting the medium with Fe-MGDA and an oxidizing agent in amounts effective to achieve oxidization of the medium-contaminating organic compound, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1.

89. A method for oxidizing a contaminant associated with a medium, comprising contacting the medium with Fe-MGDA and an oxidizing agent in amounts effective to non-dilutably reduce a concentration of the contaminant by a factor of at least 10, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1.

90. An oxidation process comprising contacting an oxidizable composition of matter with a reaction product of Fe-MGDA and a peroxide, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1.

91. An oxidation process comprising contacting an oxidizable composition of matter with a reaction product of Fe-MGDA and a persulphate, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1.

92. An oxidation process comprising contacting an oxidizable composition of matter with a reaction product of Fe-MGDA and ozone, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1.

93. An oxidation process comprising contacting an oxidizable composition of matter with a reaction product of Fe-MGDA and an oxidizing agent, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1.

94. A method of degrading an organic compound, comprising contacting an oxidizable organic compound with a reaction product of Fe-MGDA and a peroxide, said Fe-MGDA having an iron to MGDA molar ratio of approximately 3:

1, and

oxidizing said organic compound.