Heavy Metal Patents (Class 210/688)
  • Publication number: 20130292338
    Abstract: A method includes combining an aqueous solution of sodium fumarate with an aqueous solution of iron chloride to form a mixture, and obtaining an iron coordination polymer as an amorphous compound formed as a precipitate from the mixture. The iron coordination polymer may be used to bind contaminants, such as arsenate and phosphate from water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: The Board of Regents for Oklahoma State University
    Inventor: Allen Wallace Apblett
  • Publication number: 20130240453
    Abstract: Sorption media for removal of contaminants from fluid streams are provided. The sorption media comprise an active compound bound or linked to a support substrate or matrix. Support substrates can include iron- and alumina-based materials. A method for making sorption media for the removal of contaminants from fluid streams is also described. The method includes selecting a support substrate, and, optionally, providing a doping mixture comprising an active compound. The selected support substrate can be contacted with the doping mixture to form a doped mixture. The doped mixture can be reacted at a predetermined temperature and atmospheric environment for a predetermined duration to form an active media, wherein the active compound is bound or linked to the support substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Anthony E. KUHEL, Harry A. ADAMS, Gina SACCO
  • Publication number: 20130245140
    Abstract: The present application relates to novel chelate resins which contain, as a functional group, quaternary nitrogen atoms in structures of the general formula (I) in which at least one of the radicals R1 to R3 represents an optionally substituted radical of the series consisting of picolyl, methylquinoline or methylpiperidine, m represents an integer from 1 to 4 and M represents the polymer matrix and X represents a counterion of the series consisting of hydroxide OH?, halide, preferably Cl?, Br?, or sulphate SO42?, a process for their preparation and the use thereof, in particular the use of the novel chelate resins in hydrometallurgy and electroplating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: LANXESS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhold KLIPPER, Michael SCHELHAAS, Stefan NEUMANN, Duilio ROSSONI, Wolfgang ZARGES
  • Publication number: 20130228522
    Abstract: A system is provided for removing arsenic from water to safe levels at or below the EPA standards. The system is a hybrid spouted vessel/fixed bed filter system that significantly enhances/improves arsenic removal for drinking water using zero-valent iron (ZVI) particles. Movement of the circulating, iron-containing particles in a dense moving bed that forms on the spouted vessel bottom creates an abrasive “self-polishing” action among them that continuously generates colloidal iron corrosion products. This material then circulates with the water in the vessel and is removed and concentrated in a fixed bed filter. The colloidal material captured and immobilized in the filter has been shown to remove arsenic from contaminated water at very rapid rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: BROWN UNIVERSITY, BROWN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIPS
    Inventors: Joseph Calo, Madhavan Lakshmi, Johannes Kirchner, Euan Bain
  • Patent number: 8507004
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use of magnesium hydroxide, either directly or through one or more precursors, doped with a divalent or trivalent metal cation, for removing arsenic from drinking water, including water distribution systems. In one embodiment, magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2 (a strong adsorbent for arsenic) doped with a divalent or trivalent metal cation is used to adsorb arsenic. The complex consisting of arsenic adsorbed on Mg(OH)2 doped with a divalent or trivalent metal cation is subsequently removed from the water by conventional means, including filtration, settling, skimming, vortexing, centrifugation, magnetic separation, or other well-known separation systems. In another embodiment, magnesium oxide, MgO, is employed, which reacts with water to form Mg(OH)2. The resulting Mg(OH)2 doped with a divalent or trivalent metal cation, then adsorbs arsenic, as set forth above. The method can also be used to treat human or animal poisoning with arsenic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Robert C. Moore, Kathleen C. Holt-Larese, Ranko Bontchev
  • Patent number: 8492509
    Abstract: Methods of preparation and application of sulfur functionalized polymers. More particularly, triazine, cyclotriphosphazene and/or phenyl derivatives can be polymerized to form sulfur functionalized polymers. The materials can be used for separating heavy metals from gas and liquid. The invention is a solid extractant or sorbent that upon exposure or contact with a gas and/or liquid can remove contaminates or impurities. The material can be employed as a solid agent to remove mercury and other heavy metal from combustion, calcinations and/or industrial gases. Also, the material can be applied as extracting agent for removing mercury and other heavy metal from a liquid phase. Further, the material can be used for removing/recovering hazardous elements from radioactive nuclear waste; or can be used for removing organic compounds from gases and liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Chemnano Materials, Ltd.
    Inventor: Pingshan Wang
  • Publication number: 20130180925
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for the synthesis of an adsorbing material consisting of a single-phase tetravalent manganese feroxyhite (?-Fe(1-x)MnxOOH), in which a percentage of 0.05 to 25% of iron atoms has been isomorphically substituted by Mn(IV) atoms. Its production takes place in a continuous two-stage flow reactor at weakly acidic conditions (pH 4-7) and high redox (300-800 mV). The material can be used for the removal of both pentavalent and trivalent arsenic as well as other heavy metals form water. More specifically, its adsorption capacity and selectivity depending on the trivalent and pentavalent arsenic water content, are determined by the manganese percentage and the compact or hollow morphology of its structural unit which can be both controlled by the parameters of the synthesis procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Manassis Mitrakas, Konstantinos Symeonidis, Sofia Tresintsi
  • Publication number: 20130168322
    Abstract: An amidoxime-modified PAN porous body obtained by reacting with hydroxylamine a polyacrylonitrile porous body that is monolithic, has a thickness of 1 mm or more and contains polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as the main component to convert a nitrile group of the polyacrylonitrile porous body into an amidoxime group. This porous body is a porous body for adsorbing a metal ion, for example, an ion of metal such as copper, iron, nickel, vanadium, indium, gallium, silver, mercury, lead, uranium, plutonium, cesium, barium, lanthanum, thallium and strontium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicants: KANEKA CORPORATION, OSAKA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uyama, Takashi Tsujimoto, Keisuke Okada, Kenji Inoue
  • Publication number: 20130168321
    Abstract: An activated carbon material for removing a contaminant from a liquid. The activated carbon material can be a plurality carbon grains that have a pore volume of approximately 0.1 milliliters per gram (mL/g) in the range of less than about 15 angstroms in width. The carbon grains can also have or contain a nitrogen-containing species having a concentration of more than 2 atomic percent nitrogen. A plurality of the carbon grains can be used to make a contactor that is operable to remove or reduce perchlorate having a concentration of 20 parts per billion (ppb) to less than 4 ppb from 4,500 bed volumes of water with the nitrogen-containing species leaching off of the carbon grains less than 0.1 mg/L. The activated carbon material can also be electrochemically regenerated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventor: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
  • Publication number: 20130168320
    Abstract: Disclosed are granular composites comprising a biopolymer and one or more nanometal-oxyhydroxide/hydroxide/oxide particles, along with methods for the preparation and use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Thalappil Pradeep, Mundampra Maliyekkal Shihabudheen, Anshup, Mohan Udhaya Sankar, Chaudhary Amrita
  • Publication number: 20130161261
    Abstract: Method and systems are provided for the removal of metal contaminants from aqueous mediums using a chamber containing activated sorptive media and a primary ligand and optionally, a secondary ligand that has been loaded onto the activated sorptive media using hydraulic loading. In at least one embodiment, the methods and systems include a pre-treatment of the sorptive media, a specific volume of the activated sorptive media within the chamber, specific pH ranges of aqueous mediums, and hydraulic loading of the primary ligand and optionally, a secondary ligand, known as dynamic fluidized loading. In at least one embodiment, pore pressures of the seeding solution within the media are at least sufficient to overcome the gravitational forces acting on the media within the column. The methods and systems provide for a highly uniform and predictable loading of the primary ligand and optionally, the secondary ligand, onto the activated sorptive media throughout the sorptive media within the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: TUSAAR INC.
    Inventor: Tusaar Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130157905
    Abstract: The present invention relates to environmentally friendly compositions and methods for removing or suppressing metal ions in waters, flowback waters, and produced waters to make such waters suitable for subsequent use in oil-field applications and for delinking metal cross-linked gelling agents. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of providing a competitive binder and allowing the competitive binder to interact with interfering metal ions in a flowback fluid to suppress or remove interfering metal ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh K. Saini, Jeremy Holtsclaw, David M. Loveless, Lucas K. Fontenelle, Prajakta R. Patil, Ramesh Muthusamy
  • Patent number: 8449775
    Abstract: A method and adsorbent composition for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, including mixing a water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with an adsorbent including granules of a mixture of 3.33 wt % bentonite clay and a siwak stick powder; and collecting water having a reduced concentration of the heavy metal(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
    Inventor: Saad A. Al-Jlil
  • Publication number: 20130131253
    Abstract: A polymer, a composition, and uses for either are disclosed. The polymer is derived from at least two monomers: acrylic-x and an alkylamine, and has attached to the polymer backbone a functional group capable of scavenging at least one metal. The polymer has a polymer backbone with a fluorescing quantity of conjugated double bonds, thereby providing a method for controlling metal scavenging via fluorescence. These polymers have many uses in various media, including wastewater systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Paul J. Zinn, Winston Su, Rebecca L. Stiles, Darlington Mlambo
  • Publication number: 20130105400
    Abstract: There are provided a composite including a metal component supported on graphene, a preparing method of the same, and uses of the same. The composite may be used for removing a contaminant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Hyoyoung LEE, Prasenjit BHUNIA
  • Patent number: 8419946
    Abstract: A method and adsorbent composition for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising passing a stream of water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals through an adsorbent comprising granules of a mixture of from about 1 wt % to about 15 wt % clay and a thermoplastic polymer matrix; and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s) downstream of said adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
    Inventors: Fares D. Alsewailem, Saad A. Aljlil
  • Patent number: 8394739
    Abstract: A method and adsorbent composition for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, including mixing a water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with an adsorbent including granules of a mixture of 3.33 wt % bentonite clay and a siwak stick powder; and collecting water having a reduced concentration of the heavy metal(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Technology Development Center, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
    Inventor: Saad A. Al-Jlil
  • Publication number: 20130053234
    Abstract: A method for preparing a sorbent composition includes the steps of: (i) applying, from a solution or a slurry, a layer of a copper compound on the surface of a support material, and (ii) drying the coated support material, wherein the thickness of the copper compound layer on the dried support is in the range 1-200 ?m. The precursor may be converted to a sorbent suitable for removing heavy metals from liquids or gases by applying one or more sulphur compounds to sulphide the copper compound and form CuS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC
    Inventors: Andrew Fish, Lucy Jane Challis, Matthew John Cousins, Mark Robert Feaviour, Alison Mary Wagland, Stephen David Pollington, Edmund Hugh Stitt
  • Patent number: 8382990
    Abstract: The use of a coupling agent containing a mercapto, disulfide, tretrasulfide and/or polysulfide end group provides a mercury removal media having increased reactivity, stability, and mercury removal ability. The mercury removal media described herein is prepared by reacting an organophilic clay containing onium ions with a mercapto, disulfide, tetrasulfide, and/or polysulfide end moiety. Alternatively, the clay can be made organophilic by onium ion reaction prior to or simultaneously with the coupling reaction of the mercapto- or sulfide-end group-containing coupling agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Amcol International Corporation
    Inventors: Zhen Wang, Robert Abraham
  • Patent number: 8377310
    Abstract: Toxic substances such as heavy metals are extracted from a medium using a sorbent composition. The sorbent composition is derived by sulfidation of red mud, which contains hydrated ferric oxides derived from the Bayer processing of bauxite ores. Exemplary sulfidizing compounds are H2S, Na2S, K2S, (NH4)2S, and CaSx. The sulfur content typically is from about 0.2 to about 10% above the residual sulfur in the red mud. Sulfidized red mud is an improved sorbent compared to red mud for most of the heavy metals tested (Hg, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, Th, and U). Unlike red mud, sulfidized red mud does not leach naturally contained metals. Sulfidized red mud also prevents leaching of metals when mixed with red mud. Mixtures of sulfidized red mud and red mud are more effective for sorbing other ions, such as As, Co, Mn, and Sr, than sulfidized red mud alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: J.I. Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Iannicelli
  • Publication number: 20130037488
    Abstract: A method and adsorbent composition for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, including mixing a water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with an adsorbent including granules of a mixture of 3.33 wt % bentonite clay and a siwak stick powder; and collecting water having a reduced concentration of the heavy metal(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
    Inventor: King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology
  • Patent number: 8361323
    Abstract: Aniline copolymers and methods of making these copolymers are disclosed herein. The copolymers can, for example, be used for removing metal ions from a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Tongji University
    Inventors: Meirong Huang, Hao Feng, Xingui Li
  • Publication number: 20130022686
    Abstract: By sequentially aligning various filtration media and delivery systems, enhanced synergistic reduction of water contaminants is obtained compared to the prior art or separate use of the individual media/filters. Specific filtration media are formulated with proper proportioning and sequencing to enhance the ability to reduce metals that cause staining, odors and bad taste such as iron, copper and manganese. Also disclosed is the reduction of potentially hazardous metal radionuclides metals such as uranium, iodine, cesium, plutonium and radium. Also disclosed is improved removal of heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, chromium, and mercury as well as organic compounds such as halogenated carcinogenic compounds. The present devices and methods remove specific bacteria and their toxins from water to reduce the risk of dermatitis. Thus, the present invention enhances our ability to achieving cleaner and safer water for drinking, swimming, washing, bathing and cooking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: HYDROPURE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jerry E. Rademan, Robert H. Black
  • Patent number: 8349187
    Abstract: A method and solution for eluting one of antimony(V) and a mixture of antimony(III) and antimony(V) from an ion exchange resin, comprises contacting the resin with an eluting solution comprising thiourea having a concentration of at least 0.002 M and hydrochloric acid having a concentration of at least 3 M. The method can be used for electrolytes in an industrial electrorefining process, by the further steps of contacting the electrolyte with an ion exchange resin to adsorb the antimony from the electrolyte and separating the resin from the electrolyte, before contacting the resin with the eluting solution comprising thiourea and hydrochloric acid. The method and solution address the difficulties of removing antimony(V), and allow for increased reuse of the resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as Represented by the Minister of Natural Resources
    Inventor: Patricio A. Riveros
  • Publication number: 20130001169
    Abstract: A metal removal system and method are disclosed. An example method includes providing a sorptive media and providing a primary ligand having an affinity for the sorptive media, the primary ligand being an amphipathic, heterocyclic metal-coordinating compound. The method also includes providing a co-ligand having an affinity for the sorptive media. During a treatment process, a metal removal response is observed to be non-proportional between expected metal removal ability based on individual metal coordination abilities of the media alone and of all ligands, and actual net metal removal capacity resulting from a heterogeneous cooperation of the primary ligand and the sorptive media and activated by the co-ligand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Mark T. Hernandez, Muna Abu Dalo, Gautam Khanna, Al Quick
  • Patent number: 8343474
    Abstract: The invention relates to new compounds of Formula 1: [(O3/2)Si CH2CH2SX]a [Si(O4/2)]b[Si(O3/2V)]c. The compounds are useful as scavengers for the removal of unwanted organic and inorganic compounds, for solid phase extraction, for solid phase synthesis, for acid and metal mediated heterogeneous catalysis, for metal ion abstraction and for the immobilization of bio-molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Phosphonics Ltd.
    Inventors: John Robert Howe Wilson, Alice Caroline Sullivan, Siud Pui Man
  • Patent number: 8343354
    Abstract: A process for desulfurizing a process fluid includes contacting a sulphur compound containing feed stream with an absorbent including an iron, copper or nickel compound capable of forming a metal sulphide, a support material, a first binder and a second binder where the first binder is a cement binder and the second binder is a high aspect ratio aluminosilicate clay binder having an aspect ratio >2 and a ratio of the first binder to the second binder is in the range 2:1 to 3:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventor: Matthew John Cousins
  • Patent number: 8343446
    Abstract: The oxine ligands 5-chloro-8-hydroxyquiniline and 5-sulfoxyl-8-hydroxyquinoline are covalently bound, using, for example, the Mannich reaction, to a silica gel polyamine composite made from a silanized amorphous silica xerogel and polyallylamine. The resulting modified composites, termed CB-1 (X?Cl) and SB-1 (X?SO3H), respectively, show a clear selectivity for trivalent over divalent ions and selectivity for gallium over aluminum. The compounds of the invention can be applied for the sequestration of metals, such as heavy metals, from contaminated mine tailing leachates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: The University of Montana
    Inventors: Edward Rosenberg, Paul Miranda, Yuen Onn Wong
  • Publication number: 20120325750
    Abstract: The present application provides a method for removing a metal from a metal-containing solution, comprising contacting a legume product with the metal-containing solution; and removing the legume product from the solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Fei-Ran Li, Shu Li
  • Publication number: 20120330044
    Abstract: The invention is directed to chelating agent modified graphene oxides having the following formula G(AB)x; wherein G is graphene oxide, A is selected from the group consisting of —(CH2)m—, —NH—, —S—, —O—Si(—OR1)2(—CH2)m—, —C(?O)—, —C(?O)—O—, —C(?O)—O(CH2)m—, —C(?O)—NH—, —C(?O)—NH—(CH2)m—, —P(?O)2—O—, wherein m is 1-12 and R1 is H, or C1-C12 alkyl; and B is a chelating moiety; wherein the ratio of basic graphene oxide units:x is from about 1:0.00001 to about 1:0.5. Such chelating modified graphene oxides have broad applications in diverse technical fields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Shifeng HOU
  • Patent number: 8337703
    Abstract: Processes comprising: providing an anion exchanger at least partially loaded with hexachlorostannate; and contacting the at least partially loaded anion exchanger with a 1 to 10 wt. % hydrochloric acid solution to regenerate the anion exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Torsten Erwe, Knud Werner, Dirk Weiβenberg
  • Publication number: 20120318744
    Abstract: The present invention is one capable of collecting the metal dissolving in a solution, wherein graft chains of a glycidylalkyl(meth)acrylate represented by the following general formula (1) are formed in the polymer substrate and the graft chain has an amino group or a sulfonic acid group: (In the general formula (1), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2 represents a linear or branched alkylene group having from 4 to 10 carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Hongjuan MA, Hiroyuki HOSHINA, Noriaki SEKO
  • Patent number: 8323505
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for the treatment of wastewater. A system in accordance with one particular embodiment may include a vacuum filter band system configured to receive a saturated ion exchange resin tank and to apply a water rinse to the resin to generate a resin slurry. The vacuum filter band system may further include a vacuum filter band configured to receive the resin slurry. The vacuum filter band system may also be configured to generate a mixed metal solution. The system may further include a metal specific purification system including a plurality of purification units configured to receive a continuous flow of the mixed metal solution, each of the purification units configured to target a particular metal from the mixed metal solution. Numerous other embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Hydroionic Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rainer Bauder, Richard Hsu Yeh
  • Publication number: 20120273425
    Abstract: Aniline copolymers and methods of making these copolymers are disclosed herein. The copolymers can, for example, be used for removing metal ions from a sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Tongji University
    Inventors: Mei-rong Huang, Hao Feng, Xin-gui Li
  • Patent number: 8252186
    Abstract: Novel compositions of matter synthesized from acrylonitrile and crosslinker, and subsequently coated with various hydrophilic monomers, can be used in the remediation of uranyl ions from groundwater, drinking water, or wastewater and as part of a system for measurement of uranium in environmental and biological samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: The Administrators of the Tulane Educational Fund
    Inventors: Diane A. Blake, Nurettin Sahiner
  • Patent number: 8252185
    Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a housing comprising multiple housing portions and a plurality of treatment sections disposed within the housing, each treatment section comprising at least one distinct particulate layer. The apparatus is designed so that no water pressure need be applied to force the water through the apparatus, as gravity pulls the water down through the filtering layers. Water may also be force fed through the treatment apparatus; when the water is force fed, the housing portions need not be vertically stacked, but may be configured in any suitable arrangement. The treatment sections are distributed through the various housing portions in logical groups to perform various kinds of filtering. The housing portions are detachable and sealably stackable in multiple configurations, thus passing water through more or fewer treatment layers, depending on the quality of the incoming water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Zero Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajan G. Rajan, Mathu G. Rajan
  • Patent number: 8246836
    Abstract: Process for treating substances contaminated by heavy metals, according to which a calcium phosphate gel is produced and is brought into contact with the contaminated substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: SOLVAY (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Christine Tahon, Guy Depelsenaire, Patrick Sharrock, Ange Nzihou
  • Patent number: 8241505
    Abstract: The invention includes ion exchange resins, methods of making ion exchange resins and their use in the removal of perchlorate from water. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a method for removing perchlorate from a water source by contacting the water with an ion exchange resin, wherein the ion exchange resin comprises particles of a crosslinked copolymer comprising: an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of at least two polymer components each having a styrenic content greater than 50 molar percent, and a quaternary ammonium functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Daryl J. Gisch
  • Patent number: 8231711
    Abstract: Toxic substances such as heavy metals are extracted from a medium using a sorbent composition. The sorbent composition is derived by sulfidation of red mud, which contains hydrated ferric oxides derived from the Bayer processing of bauxite ores. Exemplary sulfidizing compounds are H2S, Na2S, K2S, (NH4)2S, and CaSx. The sulfur content typically is from about 0.2 to about 10% above the residual sulfur in the red mud. Sulfidized red mud is an improved sorbent compared to red mud for most of the heavy metals tested (Hg, Cr, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, Th, and U). Unlike red mud, sulfidized red mud does not leach naturally contained metals. Sulfidized red mud also prevents leaching of metals when mixed with red mud. Mixtures of sulfidized red mud and red mud are more effective for sorbing other ions, such as As, Co, Mn, and Sr, than sulfidized red mud alone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: J. I. Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Iannicelli
  • Patent number: 8231790
    Abstract: A novel anion adsorbent with extremely high anion adsorptive power, composed mainly of iron as a metal excellent in biosafety, is provided. The anion adsorbent contains, as an active ingredient, amorphous ferric hydroxide produced under such conditions that a ferrous species is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Createrra Inc.
    Inventor: Tomotaka Yanagita
  • Patent number: 8221711
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for removing mercury and/or cadmium from samples containing mercury and/or cadmium or thought to contain mercury and/or cadmium are described. Selenium core-sheath compositions containing a selenium nanostructure core and a melt-resistant sheath can be used to remove mercury and/or cadmium from high-temperature environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Kwangyeol Lee
  • Publication number: 20120175311
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of removing organic chemicals and organometallic complexes (organic heavy metal complexes) using zeolites from process water or tailings streams of a mineral processing plant where diethylenetriamine (DETA) or triethylenetetramine (TETA) is used as a flotation reagent and DETA-metal complexes are found in process water or tailings streams. The process water or slurry tailings streams of a mineral processing plant containing DETA, DETA-metal complexes and residual heavy metals may be contacted with natural zeolites. This may be carried out by adding the natural zeolites to the process streams or slurries while mixing with a mechanical mixer to efficiently adsorb DETA, DETA-metal complexes and heavy metals from the process streams on the zeolite. The loaded zeolite may then be discarded with the flotation tailings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: VALE S.A.
    Inventors: Jie DONG, Manqiu XU, Kenneth Erwin SCHOLEY
  • Publication number: 20120175307
    Abstract: Multi-layered macromolecules wherein the layers are covalently bonded together and wherein the macromolecules are covalently bonded to solid particulate substrates, methods for the preparation of such compositions, and methods for their uses in a multitude of end use applications ranging from the purification of waste chemical and metal process streams to the separation and identification of proteins, peptides, and oligionucleotides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Charles E. Skinner, William Henry Campbell, Yung K. Kim
  • Publication number: 20120168383
    Abstract: A graphene-iron oxide complex consists of graphene and needle-like iron oxide nanoparticles grown on a surface of the graphene, and a fabricating method thereof includes (A) preparing a reduced graphene dispersed solution, (B) mixing the dispersed solution with a solution containing iron oxide precursors to prepare a mixture, (C) stirring the mixture to prepare a graphene-iron oxide dispersed solution containing the graphene-iron oxide complex that needle-like iron oxide nanoparticles are grown on the surface of the graphene, and (D) separating the graphene-iron oxide complex from the graphene-iron oxide complex dispersed solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hye Young KOO, Won San CHOI, Jun Kyung KIM
  • Publication number: 20120160775
    Abstract: A porous and permeable composite for treatment of contaminated fluids, said composite including a body of iron particles and 0.01-10% by weight of at least one functional ingredient distributed and locked in the pores and cavities of the iron body. Also, methods of making a permeable porous composite for water treatment. Also, use of a permeable porous composite for reducing the content of contaminants in a fluid, wherein said fluid is allowed to pass through the permeable composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: HOGANAS AB
    Inventor: Bo Hu
  • Patent number: 8202431
    Abstract: A method and apparatus involving at least two distinct adsorbent media for adsorptive removal of impurities from a metal deposition composition such as an electroless or electrolytic deposition composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Enthone Inc.
    Inventors: Christoph Werner, Axel Fuhrmann, Andreas Möbius
  • Publication number: 20120145640
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions by contacting heavy metal-contaminated water with a sorption media, or in particular with carbonate minerals. The present invention also relates to methods of using modified sorption media, such as aggregates of carbonate minerals and modified carbonate minerals, for the removal of heavy metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Arden D. DAVIS, Cathleen J. Webb, Jenifer Sorensen, Terrence E. Williamson, David J. Dixon
  • Patent number: 8197695
    Abstract: An absorbent composition suitable for removing mercury, arsenic or antimony from fluid streams includes 5-50% by weight of a particulate sulphided copper compound, 30-90% by weight of a particulate support material, and the remainder one or more binders, wherein the metal sulphide content of the absorbent, other than copper sulphide, is below 5% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventors: Matthew John Cousins, Robert Logan, Christopher John Young
  • Publication number: 20120138530
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating arsenic from an aqueous solution containing arsenic. The method includes the steps of contacting an arsenic-containing solution with a first portion of fixing agent to remove at least a portion of the arsenic. An arsenic-laden fixing agent is separated from the solution and the partially depleted solution is contacted with a second portion of fixing agent. The fixing agent can include a high surface area insoluble compound containing one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. Following removal of the arsenic, the arsenic-depleted solution can be further processed to separate a recoverable metal through metal refining. The arsenic-laden fixing agent can be filtered to recover and recycle a filtrate to the solution for additional treatment, as well as using a partially saturated fixing agent to remove arsenic from fresh solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MOLYCORP MINERALS, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Carl R. Hassler, C. Brock O'Kelley, Charles F. Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20120125856
    Abstract: A nanocomposite solid material includes nanoparticles of a metal coordination polymer with CN ligands comprising Mn+ cations, in which M is a transition metal and n is 2 or 3; and anions [M?(CN)m]x? in which M? is a transition metal, x is 3 or 4, and m is 6 or 8. The Mnn+ cations of the coordination polymer are bound through an organometallic bond to an organic group of an organic graft chemically attached inside the pores of a support made of porous glass. The material can be used in a method for fixing (binding) a mineral pollutant, such as radioactive cesium, contained in a solution by bringing the solution in contact with the nanocomposite solid material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicants: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, UNIVERSITE DE MONTLIER II
    Inventors: Agnes Grandjean, Yves Barre, Yannick Guari, Joulia Larionova, Christian Guerin