Waste treatment process for coal gasification fly ash

• US 9,169,146 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2012
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brisben Water Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Ecosphere Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: McGuire, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Drodge, Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Allen, Cameron J
• Application Number:
  US13/707,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20130248456A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 210/748.01, 210/638, 210/660, 210/205, 210/177, 210/190, 210/721, 210/665, 210/702, 210/748.02, 210/243, 210/153, 422/20, 422/22, 422/127, 422/128, 422/186, 166/90.1, 166/267
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/34 with mechanical oscillations
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/36 ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/461 by electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/20 Heavy metals or heavy metal compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/30 Organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/008 Mobile apparatus and plants, e.g. mounted on a vehicle for biological treatment C02F2203/008
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/009 Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower, fuel cells for electrolysis apparatus C02F2201/46165
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/00 Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/212 Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved water treatment process that operates on a continuous flow of fluids that are subjected to hydrodynamic waves, acoustic ultrasonic waves in combination with injected ozone and electro chemical treatment. The treatment system provides a cost efficient and environmentally friendly process and apparatus for cleaning and recycling fluids as contaminated as coal slurry, as well as other types of fluids having various levels of contaminants such as aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and suspended solids. The volatile organic compounds are reduced to an acceptable level without the use of acids, ion exchange materials, or anti scaling chemicals which is of economical and environmental significance and benefit.

Claims

1. A process for treating coal industry wastewater comprising the steps of:

fluidly connecting to a source of industrial wastewater fluid flow and pressurizing the fluid flow;

injecting ozone into the pressurized fluid flow;

directing said fluid through a flash reactor having flow paths that create areas of severe velocity and pressure changes for reducing the ozone into nano sized bubbles;

passing said fluid through a hydrodynamic mixing manifold constructed and arranged to cause hydrodynamic cavitation of said fluid;

directing an output of said hydrodynamic mixed fluid through a converging dynamic nozzle;

conveying said fluid into a reactor having a plurality of ultrasonic transducers;

energizing a plurality of ultrasonic transducers positioned within said reactor to generate acoustic cavitation within said fluid; and

changing the electrical potential within said fluid upon energizing a plurality of anodes and cathodes positioned within said reactor;

whereby the process reduces the scaling potential of said fluid, destroys bacteria within said fluid and heavy metals within said fluid precipitated.

2. The process for treating a fluid as set forth in claim 1 wherein said converging dynamic nozzle directs fluid to impact against an interior wall of said reactor.

3. The process for treating a fluid as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reactor includes a cylindrical housing having a plurality of inlet passageways, each of said inlet passageways including a dynamic converging nozzle that directs the fluid to impact an interior wall of said reactor.

4. The process for treating a fluid as set forth in claim 1 including the step of electrically heating a plate adjacent each said plurality of ultrasonic transducers to enhance fluid treatment by said transducers.

5. The process for treating a fluid as set forth in claim 1 further including the step of mounting said anodes and cathodes on a cylindrical surface removably attached to an end of said reactor.

6. The process for treating fluid as set forth in claim 1, further including the step of directing oxygen through an ozone generator, said oxygen being concentrated from the air using an oxygen generator.

7. The process for treating a fluid as set forth in claim 1 including the step of injecting ozone through an injection port formed by a venturi coupling positioned along the fluid flow path.

8. The process for treating a fluid as set forth in claim 1 including the step of electro chemically treating the fluid in at least one outlet line.

9. The process for treating a fluid as set forth in claim 1 including the step of creating hydrodynamic cavitation within the fluid in at least one outlet line.

10. The process for treating a fluid as set forth in claim 1 including the step of creating a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure within said reactor.