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GB2141119A - Apparatus and process for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing substances from potable water - Google Patents

Apparatus and process for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing substances from potable water Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2141119A
GB2141119A GB08414383A GB8414383A GB2141119A GB 2141119 A GB2141119 A GB 2141119A GB 08414383 A GB08414383 A GB 08414383A GB 8414383 A GB8414383 A GB 8414383A GB 2141119 A GB2141119 A GB 2141119A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
activated carbon
conduit
water
tank
bed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08414383A
Other versions
GB8414383D0 (en
GB2141119B (en
Inventor
Edward G Kreusch
Bruce F Brodzik
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Culligan International Co
Original Assignee
Culligan International Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US06/590,575 external-priority patent/US4534867A/en
Application filed by Culligan International Co filed Critical Culligan International Co
Publication of GB8414383D0 publication Critical patent/GB8414383D0/en
Publication of GB2141119A publication Critical patent/GB2141119A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2141119B publication Critical patent/GB2141119B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/28Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption
    • C02F1/283Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by sorption using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02FTREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/58Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by removing specified dissolved compounds
    • C02F1/62Heavy metal compounds
    • C02F1/64Heavy metal compounds of iron or manganese
    • C02F1/645Devices for iron precipitation and treatment by air

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Water Treatment By Sorption (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Water By Oxidation Or Reduction (AREA)

Abstract

The apparatus and process are for treating potable water having a pH between 5 and 9. The apparatus includes a tank (10) for receiving the water, which tank contains a bed of activated carbon (16). The untreated water is aerated prior to its communication with the activated carbon. All of the aerated water is allowed to flow through the bed and the activated carbon provides a catalytic action, whereby substantially all of the oxidation occurs throughout the bed of activated carbon and the use of chemical oxidizing agents is obviated. The tank provides a reaction site for oxidation in the catalyst, precipitation of the oxidized ions, and retention by filtration of the precipitated particles. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus and process for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing substances from potable water The present invention concerns an apparatus and process for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing substances from potable water having a pH between 5 and 9 (typically about 7).
Prior art filter systems for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing constituents, such as manganese and sulfur, from aqueous environments have been found to have certain limitations. For example, in certain prior art filter systems, oxidative filter media are used, such as manganese treated greensand. These oxidative filter media generally require frequent chemical rengeneration.
For example, manganese treated greensand must frequently be regenerated with potassium permanganate or with sodium hypochlorite. Non-oxidative filter media typically require detention time added for the purpose of providing time for the oxidation reaction which is relatively slow unless it has been catalyzed.
Certain prior art filter systems utilize inert filter media. One filter medium which falls within this example is sand. However, inert filter media generally require the influent stream to be of adequate composition to oxidize and/or precipitate the contaminants.
Another prior art system utilizes alkaline media to modify partly the water composition so that removal efficiences might be increased. Such alkaline filter media include, for example, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. In such systems, the replacement of the alkaline medium is periodically required.
In McLean U.S. Patent No. 3,649,532, a system for treating water is disclosed in which the water is aerated and then passed through a mineral bed comprised of an alkalinity adding material such as a dolomite (a mixture of calcium and magnesium carbonates) or calcium carbonate, for raising the pH to 7.0-7.5. It has been found that the present invention, which will be described below, has a significantly greater flow rate (the rate of flow in gallons per hour to achieve effective filtering) and capacity (the volume of aqueous solution that can be filtered before backwashing of the filter is required) than the McLean system.
Other prior art systems utilize chemical oxidants such as chlorine, sodium hypochlorite or potassium permanganate in order to oxidize the chemically reducing contaminants. These have, under some conditions, required additional modification of the aqueous composition by addition of precipitating reagents.
Extended contact time is often required. In addition, oxidative chemicals are generally hazardous and damaging when spills or unintended use occurs.
One prior art system which utilizes chemical oxidizing agents is disclosed in Kratz U.S.
Patent No. 3,017,347, in which (column 1, lines 41-49) "the process is characterized by passing the water which has been dosed with suitable quantities of oxidizing agents, such as ozone, chlorine, chlorine dioxide or the like over granular activated carbon. The heavy metal compounds which are oxidized by the oxidizing means but remain in the dissolved state are catalytically deposited on the active surface of the carbon. Simultaneously the taste and odour causing substances are absorbed by the active carbon". It is desirable, however, to avoid the use of chemical oxidizing agents so that it is unnecessary for the user to be required to purchase and have to frequently use chemicals for the purpose of oxidation.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved system for removing soluble and insoluble chemically reducing susbtances from potable water, without the addition of purchased reagents, or multi-step regeneration procedures.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided apparatus for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing susbtances from potable water having a pH between 5 and 9, which comprises a tank for receiving said water to be treated, said tank containing a bed of activated carbon; aerating means for aerating the water prior to its communication with the activated carbon, and means for directing all of the aerated water into said tank to introduce the aerated water to said bed of activated carbon, the activated carbon providing a catalytic action whereby substantially all of the oxidation occurs throughout the bed of activated carbon and the use of chemical oxidizing agents is obviated.
Further, additional detention time is not needed beyond the residence time within the filter bed. Thus, the apparatus provides an economy over presently known iron filter systems.
In the illustrative embodiment, means are provided for removing excess gas from the aerated water prior to its communication with the activated carbon. The tank is one-half to three-quarters filled with the activated carbon and the activated carbon comprises granular activated carbon having a mesh size between 6 mesh and 100 mesh. The aerating means comprises an air pump and the excess gas removing means comprises an air relief valve.
In the illustrative embodiment, a chemical enhancer such as sodium hypochlorite solution or calcium hypochlorite is introduced to the activated carbon bed during backwashing and used to enhance the catalytic properties of the activated carbon.
A more detailed explanation of the inven tion is provided in the following description and claims, and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which is a schematic diagram of an iron removal apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Referring to the drawing, a chemically-reducing removal system is illustrated therein comprising a tank 10 for receiving potable water, such as from a household supply of untreated potable water, via first conduit 12.
The water to which the present invention is applicable has a pH between 5 and 9, preferably about 7.
Conduit 12 extends from the source of untreated water, such as a well or municipal water supply, and the first conduit has one end 14 which extends into tank 10 but terminates above a bed 16 of activated carbon. It has been found desirable for the activated carbon bed 16 to fill one-half to three-quarters of the tank. Thus a tank that is 44 inches in height would have approximately 30 inches of activated carbon bed 16. The activated carbon of the instant invention comprises granular activated carbon having a mesh size between 6 mesh and 100 mesh (U.S. Standard Sieve).
Connected in series with first conduit 22 is an aerating- means 20, such as a conventional venturi air aspirator 20 or preferably an air pump 20, for introducing air or other oxygencontaining gas into the untreated potable water. Downstream of aerating means 20 but also connected in series with conduit 12 is a conventional air relief valve 22 for removing the excess air. Alternatively, the air relief valve may be connected directly to the top 23 of tank 10 by a threaded fitting or the like so that the excess gas from the aerated water within the tank is removed. It is preferable to leave a residue of undissolved air within tank 10. To achieve effective iron removal, all of the aerated water is introduced to bed 16.
A second conduit 24 is connected at junction 26 to first conduit 12, upstream of aerating means 20. A second valve 28 is connected to second conduit 24 and one end 30 of second conduit 24 is connected to a junction 32 which connects to third conduit 34. A check valve 36 is provided in conduit 24 with the flow permitted in the direction of the arrow. A third valve 38 is connected to third conduit 34. Third conduit 34 extends into the activated carbon bed 16 with its end 40 being positioned to receive the treated water and convey it to a fourth conduit 42 which is connected at junction 44 to third conduit 34. Fourth conduit 42 is provided with a fourth valve 46.
A fifth conduit 48 containing a fifth valve 50 is connected to first conduit 12 at junction 52. One end 54 of the fifth conduit is connected to drain and the fifth conduit 48 is operable for conveying untreated water during backwashing as will be described below.
A sixth conduit 56 containing a flow regulator 58 is connected at junction 32 to second conduit 24 and is utilized as a bypass conduit for conveying some of the untreated water which flows via second conduit 24 during backwashing.
Valves 18, 28, 38, 46 and 50 may be manually operated or may be operated by suitable automatic means. During the normal filtering operation, valves 18 and 46 (marked NO" on the drawing) are normally open, while valves 28, 38 and 50 are normally closed (marked "NC" on the drawing). On the other hand, during backwashing valves 18 and 46 are normally closed while valves 28, 38 and 50 are normally open.
In the operation of the system, during fiiter ing the untreated potable water will flow via conduit 12 and will be aerated by air pump -20, with the excess air removed by relief valve 22. All of the aerated water will flow into tank 10, and substantially no oxidation will take place until the aerated water passes through the activated carbon bed 16. Thus substantially all of the oxidation takes place throughout the activated carbon bed 16 on the surfaces of the activated carbon due to the catalytic action of the activated carbon and the highly porous structure thereof.
The treated water flows via conduit 34 and conduit 42 to storage or use.
When backwashing is desired, valves 18 and 46 are closed and valves 28, 38 and 50 are opened. The untreated water will then flow through conduit 24 and conduit 34, and will backwash bed 16, with the backwash flowing up through end 14 of conduit 12 and via conduit 48 to drain. Flow regulator 58 is adjusted so that conduit 56 can be utilized as a bypass for untreated water that is not being used for the backwash.
It has been found that greater removal of chemically reducing substances, such as iron, sulfur compounds, etc., from water is achieved by using a chemical enhancer for the activated carbon catalyst. To this end, an enhancer such as sodium hypochlorite solution or calcium hypochlorite (dissolved in water) can be used. The enhancer is introduced to the activated carbon bed during backwahsing, preferably during a twenty-minute portion of the backwash procedure in a concentration of 500 parts per million with respect to the backwash. An improvement of over 50 percent in iron removal resulted from the use of a sodium hypochlorite solution enhancer.
By using the present invention, it has been found that is is unnecessary to utilize a detention tank for providing residency time for the oxidation and precipitation, as is often required in prior art constructions. The tank provides a reaction site for oxidation in the catalyst, precipitation of the oxidized ions, and retention by filtration of the precipitated particles. Further, the system of the present invention has been found to provide vastly superior performance with respect to prior art systems. For example, utilizing the present invention the filter rate has been increased many multiples over prior art systems and the capacity (volume filtered prior to backwashing) has increased many multiples over prior art systems.
In the tests performed by applicants, the activated carbon comprised either CULLAR G granular carbon or CIM granular carbon, both distributed by Culligan USA, One Culligan Parkway, Northbrook, Illinois. The CIM granular carbon provided most effective performance.

Claims (19)

1. Apparatus for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing susbtances from potable water having a pH between 5 and 9, which comprises a tank for receiving said water to be treated, said tank containing a bed of activated carbon; aerating means for aerating the water prior to its communication with the activated carbon, and means for directing all of the aerated water into said tank to introduce the aerated water to said bed of activated carbon, the activated carbon providing a catalytic action whereby substantially all of the oxidation occurs throughout the bed of activated carbon and the use of chemical oxidizing agents is obviated.
2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the aerating means comprises an air pump, and means is provided for removing excess gas from the aerated water prior to its communication with the activated carbon.
3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the excess gas removing means comprises an air relief valve.
4. Apparatus according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the tank is one-half to three-quarters filled with the activated carbon.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the activated carbon comprises granular activated carbon having a mesh size between 6 mesh and 100 mesh (U.S. Standard Sieve).
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including means for introducing a chemical enhancer to the activated carbon to enhance the catalytic action thereof.
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, in which the chemical enhancer is sodium hypochiorite solution.
8. Apparatus according to Claim 6, in which the chemical enhancer is calcium hypochlorite solution.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim including a first conduit for conveying the untreated water solution to the aerating means, one end of said first conduit extending into said tank and terminating above the bed; a second conduit connected to said first conduit upstream of said aerating means; a third conduit connected to said second conduit and extending into the bed; a fourth conduit connected to the third conduit for conveying the treated water; a fifth conduit connected to said first conduit for conveying backwash to drain; and a sixth conduit connected to said third conduit and said fourth conduit for conveying untreated water during backwashing.
10. Apparatus according to Claim 9, including a first valve in the first conduit, a second valve in the second conduit, a third valve in the third conduit, a fourth valve in the fourth conduit, a fifth valve in the fifth conduit; said first and fourth valves being open during normal operation while said second, third and fifth valves are closed; and said second, third and fifth valves being open during backwashing while said first and fourth valves are closed.
11. A process for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing susbtances from potable water having a pH between 5 and 9, which comprises the steps of providing a tank for receiving all of the potable water to be treated, said tank containing a bed of activated carbon; aerating the water prior to its communication with the activated carbon; directing all of the aerated water into said tank to introduce the aerated water to said bed of activated carbon; whereby the activated carbon provides a catalytic action so that substantially all of the oxidation occurs throughout the bed of activated carbon and the use of chemical oxidizing agents is obviated.
12. A process according to Claim 11, including the step of removing excess gas from the aerated water prior to its communication with the activated carbon.
13. A process according to Claim 11 or 12, including the step of introducing a chemical enhancer to the activated carbon to enhance the catalytic action thereof.
14. A process according to Claim 13, in which the chemical enhancer is introduced during backwashing of the activated carbon.
15. A process according to Claim 13, or 14, in which the chemical enhancer is sodium hypochlorite solution.
16. A process according to Claim 13 or 14, in which the chemical enhancer is calcium hypochlorite solution.
17. A process according to any of Claims 12 to 16, including the step of providing a relief valve on the tank for removing the excess gas, and leaving a residue of undissolved gas within the tank.
18. Apparatus for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing susbtances from potable water having a pH between 5 and 9, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
19. A process for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing substances from potable water having a pH between 5 and 9, substantially as herein described with refference to the accompanying drawing.
GB08414383A 1983-06-08 1984-06-05 Apparatus and process for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing substances from potable water Expired GB2141119B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US50223883A 1983-06-08 1983-06-08
US52596683A 1983-08-24 1983-08-24
US06/590,575 US4534867A (en) 1983-08-24 1984-03-16 System for removing iron and/or other chemically reducing substances from potable water

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GB8414383D0 GB8414383D0 (en) 1984-07-11
GB2141119A true GB2141119A (en) 1984-12-12
GB2141119B GB2141119B (en) 1987-02-25

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1188721A1 (en) * 2000-09-08 2002-03-20 Uwe Dipl.-Ing. Würdig Process and device for water treatment
GB2368028A (en) * 2000-09-02 2002-04-24 Shakesby & Sons Ltd Iron filtration system for water

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3524364C2 (en) * 1985-07-08 1993-12-16 Linde Ag Process for treating water
WO1989011454A1 (en) * 1988-05-16 1989-11-30 Eero Partanen Method for treatment of water and device for application of method
CN107010760A (en) * 2017-05-26 2017-08-04 青岛华水节能环保科技有限公司 The deep treatment method and device of Drinking Water

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0030733A1 (en) * 1979-12-14 1981-06-24 Laurene O. Paterson Process and apparatus for removing dissolved iron from water
WO1982003850A1 (en) * 1981-04-28 1982-11-11 Willy Palmer Device for aerating waste waters to be purified
EP0069220A2 (en) * 1981-07-02 1983-01-12 Fried. Krupp Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Apparatus for waste water purification
EP0069800A1 (en) * 1981-07-15 1983-01-19 GebràœDer Sulzer Aktiengesellschaft Method for the purification of waste waters containing hydrazine

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT56866B (en) * 1910-10-24 1912-12-27 Latzel & Kutscha Fa Process for removing iron or other substances that can be precipitated by aeration in water.
BE579912A (en) * 1958-07-31
DE1642400A1 (en) * 1968-01-12 1972-01-05 Degussa Process for the detoxification of cyanide-containing aqueous solutions
AU4534368A (en) * 1968-11-01 1970-04-30 Culligan Soft Water Service Company Method of treating a filter bed
DE2055860A1 (en) * 1970-11-13 1972-05-18 Ver Kesselwerke Ag Waste water purification - from organic contaminants using granulated carbon catalysts esp active carbon
JPS596715B2 (en) * 1976-09-10 1984-02-14 日石三菱株式会社 How to treat wastewater

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0030733A1 (en) * 1979-12-14 1981-06-24 Laurene O. Paterson Process and apparatus for removing dissolved iron from water
WO1982003850A1 (en) * 1981-04-28 1982-11-11 Willy Palmer Device for aerating waste waters to be purified
EP0069220A2 (en) * 1981-07-02 1983-01-12 Fried. Krupp Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Apparatus for waste water purification
EP0069800A1 (en) * 1981-07-15 1983-01-19 GebràœDer Sulzer Aktiengesellschaft Method for the purification of waste waters containing hydrazine

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2368028A (en) * 2000-09-02 2002-04-24 Shakesby & Sons Ltd Iron filtration system for water
GB2368028B (en) * 2000-09-02 2002-09-04 Shakesby & Sons Ltd Improved water filter and valve assembly
EP1188721A1 (en) * 2000-09-08 2002-03-20 Uwe Dipl.-Ing. Würdig Process and device for water treatment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8414383D0 (en) 1984-07-11
GB2141119B (en) 1987-02-25
DE3421113A1 (en) 1984-12-13

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20020605