| US 7,491,337 B2 | ||
| Method and apparatus for removing contaminants from water | ||
| Marilyn E. Karaman, Aranda (Australia) | ||
| Assigned to Jeffbrad Investments Pty Limited, (Australia) | ||
| Filed on Dec. 21, 2004, as Appl. No. 11/18,938. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2005/0236335 A1, Oct. 27, 2005 | ||
| Int. Cl. B01D 21/01 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 210—723 [210/724; 210/725; 210/199] | 37 Claims |
| 1. A method for the removal of one or more cationic, anionic and/or nonionic surfactants-from water, the method comprising:
a) contacting the water with a pH adjusting agent/medium for a time and under conditions to provide a pH adjusted water;
followed by contacting the pH adjusted water with one or more of the following active adsorption media:
b) a first medium that has a negative charge in the pH adjusted water for a time and under conditions such that a proportion
of cationic surfactants present in the water are adsorbed onto said medium and removed from the water;
c) a second medium that has a positive charge in the pH adjusted water for a time and under conditions such that a proportion
of anionic surfactants present in the water are adsorbed ontosaid medium and removed from the water; and
d) a third medium that has a high surface area, is porous, adsorbs hydrophobic uncharged material and/or adsorbs hydrophobic
charged material in the pH adjusted water, for a time and under conditions such that a proportion of non-ionic surfactants
present in the water are adsorbed onto said medium and removed from the water,
wherein the pH adjusting agent/medium is also a flocculant and floc precipitated from the pH adjusted water is removed prior
to contacting the pH adjusted water with the one or more adsorption media.
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