US 11,680,001 B2
Systems and methods for treating acidity, heavy metals, and solids in acid mine drainage and other aqueous fluids
Karl William Yost, Anacortes, WA (US); and Richard W. Alexander, Lebanon, OR (US)
Assigned to Yost Brothers LLC, Anacortes, WA (US)
Filed by Karl William Yost, Anacortes, WA (US); and Richard W. Alexander, Lebanon, OR (US)
Filed on Mar. 15, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/355,582.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/643,562, filed on Mar. 15, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2019/0284073 A1, Sep. 19, 2019
Int. Cl. C02F 9/00 (2023.01); C02F 103/10 (2006.01); C02F 103/16 (2006.01); C02F 101/20 (2006.01); C02F 101/22 (2006.01); C02F 101/10 (2006.01)
CPC C02F 9/00 (2013.01) [C02F 2101/103 (2013.01); C02F 2101/203 (2013.01); C02F 2101/206 (2013.01); C02F 2101/22 (2013.01); C02F 2103/10 (2013.01); C02F 2103/16 (2013.01); C02F 2201/46105 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An aqueous fluid treatment system, comprising:
a first oxidation/reduction electrolytic cell having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an electrode pair extending through at least a portion of the oxidation/reduction electrolytic cell, wherein the oxidation/reduction electrolytic cell is configured such that aqueous fluid passing through the oxidation/reduction electrolytic cell passes between the electrode pair;
a flow through reactive media reactor having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, wherein the fluid outlet of the oxidation/reduction electrolytic cell is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the flow through reactive media reactor; and
a cavitation/electrocoagulation reactor having—
a fluid inlet,
a fluid outlet,
a longitudinal chamber between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet,
one or more ultrasonic transducers each having an energy-emitting surface facing toward the chamber,
a cavitation nozzle configured to receive aqueous fluid from the fluid inlet of the cavitation/electrocoagulation reactor and eject the aqueous fluid into the longitudinal chamber, wherein the one or more ultrasonic transducers are located downstream of the cavitation nozzle, and
an electrode pair extending longitudinally through at least a portion of the longitudinal chamber, such that aqueous fluid received by the chamber passes between and around the electrode pair, wherein the fluid outlet of the flow through reactive media reactor is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet of the cavitation/electrocoagulation reactor, and wherein the one or more ultrasonic transducers are affixed to at least one wall of the longitudinal chamber.