IP Library Granted Patent US 9,108,160
Granted Patent B2
US 9,108,160 · App. 13/999,466 · Granted Aug 18, 2015

Methods for enhanced electrocoagulation processing using membrane aeration

Inventors: Reginald A. Wiemers (Littleton, CO); Robert Kohlheb (Cserszegtomaj, HU); Peter H. Zahn (Littleton, CO)
Assignee: Rockwater Resource, LLC
B01D65/02B01D19/0036B01D61/02B01D61/022C02F1/463C02F9/00B01D61/025B01D61/027C02F1/20C02F1/38C02F1/42C02F1/441C02F1/442C02F1/52C02F1/66C02F3/082C02F2001/007C02F2201/008C02F2209/00C02F2209/005C02F2209/006C02F2209/008
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,108,160
App. No.
13/999,466
Granted
Aug 18, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Apparatus and methods for enhanced electrocoagulation processing using enhanced membrane aeration are disclosed for effluent treatment. The apparatus has an enrichment means for establishing an ion rich air/gas stream and a membrane aerator for receiving the ionized air/gas stream and effluent to be treated. An ionized air/gas rich effluent feed stream flows out of the membrane aerator and is received at an electrocoagulation processing assembly for diffused ion enhanced electrocoagulation treatment.

Claims (22)

1. A method utilizing enhanced membrane aeration for enhanced electrocoagulation treatment of wastewater, said method comprising the steps of:

generating an ion rich air/gas stream by exposing compressed air/gas to either one of a UV source or a particle emitter;

diffusing the ion rich air/gas stream into a flow of the wastewater utilizing membrane aeration to provide an ionized air/gas rich effluent feed stream; and

receiving the feed stream at a reaction chamber of an electrocoagulation processing assembly for primary electrocoagulation processing thereat.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising using vacuum processing to assist removal of lighter than water contaminants ascending from said effluent during electrocoagulation processing.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of using vacuum processing includes applying a vacuum at a floatation area integrally located relative to said primary electrocoagulation processing.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating an ion rich air/gas stream includes exposure of air/gas to UV emission.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of generating an ion rich air/gas stream includes exposure of air/gas to polonium origin particle emission.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of diffusing said ion rich air/gas stream further comprises utilizing a hydrophobe, anti-adhesive, semi-permeable membrane assembly for diffusing said ion rich air/gas stream into said flow of wastewater.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising monitoring gas bubble formation at said membrane.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the feed stream at a secondary reaction chamber of the electrocoagulation processing assembly for secondary electrocoagulation processing after said primary electrocoagulation processing.

9. An effluent treatment method utilizing enhanced membrane aeration for enhanced electrocoagulation treatment of effluent comprising:

emitting particles into an air/gas stream to establish an ion rich air/gas stream;

electrically charging a dual coil membrane mixing system for receiving said air/gas stream and effluent to be treated to establish an outflowing ionized air/gas rich effluent feed stream having said ionized air/gas diffused thereinto;

receiving the outflowing ionized air/gas rich effluent feed stream in a reaction chamber of an electrocoagulation processing assembly for primary electrocoagulation processing treatment thereat; and

outputting treated fluid from the electrocoagulation processing assembly after electrocoagulation processing treatment.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of electrically charging a dual coil membrane mixing system includes receiving said ionized air/gas stream at an expansion chamber adjacent to a membrane.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising removing lighter than water contaminants ascending from said effluent during treatment utilizing vacuum assist.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said vacuum assist removal of lighter than water contaminants is conducted above said primary electrocoagulation treatment.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of emitting particles includes exposure of air/gas to UV emission.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of emitting particles includes exposure of air/gas to polonium origin particle emission.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising exposing said feed stream to secondary electrocoagulation processing treatment adjacent to said primary electrocoagulation processing treatment.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2014
From: WIEMERS, REGINALD A.; KOHLHEB, ROBERT; ZAHN, PETER H.
To: TRIWATECH, LLC
Reel/Frame 032498/0714 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 3, 2014
From: TRIWATECH, LLC
To: ROCKWATER RESOURCE, LLC
Reel/Frame 032498/0319 →
Continuity (3)
Division 12452773 · Jan 22, 2010
Continuation 11888512 · Aug 1, 2007
Related Publication 20140183058A1 · Jul 3, 2014